IOANA SERITAN
Associate Editor, Birding magazine

Welcome to Birding Online! Here, all ABA members can access the extended online content from the January 2022 issue of Birding magazine. The complete issue, containing both print and online content, can be found here:

One of three Burrowing Owl covers painted by Christina Baal.

aba.org/birding-magazine-january-2022

We were so excited to announce the 2022 Bird of the Year – the Burrowing Owl – and Christina Baal’s incredible art pieces. There are three alternate covers of this issue, each featuring one of three unique works of art that depict the Burrowing Owl throughout its range. Which cover did you receive? If you’re interested in collecting the art, you can buy the posters here.

All year, we’ll have lots of great Burrowing Owl content in Birding. And this issue gets us off to a wonderful start:

• Frank Izaguirre’s “Birding Together” welcomes the Bird of the Year
• Marcel Gahbauer tells us about the population status of Burrowing Owls in Canada
• The Artist Interview with Christina Baal takes us into her process of creating the cover art
• The Bird of the Year coloring page & word search make their annual comeback!
• Wendy Miller’s Photo Salon takes us into the lives of these owls in California’s Imperial Valley
• Santiago Luaces shares his story of researching Burrowing Owls in Cape Coral, Florida

Last year, I welcomed “Celebrations” featuring the 2021 Bird of the Year, the Pileated Woodpecker. In 2022, I hope to hear from all of you about your Burrowing Owl experiences! When have you seen them, and what did you love about them? Email me at iseritan@aba.org with your stories. Photos more than welcome, but not required.

Moving on to non-Burrowing Owl content, this issue’s Birding Interview is with Mel and Jeanne Goff, who share the joys of birding together for 20 years, volunteering with the ABA, listing, and more.

Tessa Rhinehart’s Frontiers in Ornithology tells the story of how the mysterious Inti Tanager, which winters in Peru and breeds in Bolivia, became known to science.

This month’s Featured Photo comes from yours truly, talking about how feathers accumulate wear and tear. You’ve most likely seen birds in the wild with faded, broken, or worn plumage – but how did they get that way? Hopefully, I can help answer that question, aided by lots of cool photos from International Bird Rescue.

January’s Book & Media Reviews feature:

• Rebecca Minardi reviewing “Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul,” by Holly Merker, Richard Crossley, and Sophie Crossley
• Bryony Angell reviewing “Look at That Bird! A Young Naturalist’s Guide to Pacific Northwest Birding,” by Karen DeWitz

And of course, Frank’s Bird Book Bulletin introduces bird books, art, and media that have recently been published. Check it out for your next read!

Enjoy, and happy birding!