Also unlike a sports team which focuses on the collective achievement of a group, the goal of this competition is to focus on the achievements of a single individual and to bring to light the achievements and life histories of those ornithologists, conservationists, artists, and other bird lovers who have contributed to the study and overall appreciation of birds.
It's not hard to understand why so many people have felt compelled to learn about, explore, and experience the wonder of birds. Despite the many people I could have chosen, I have decided to keep the numbers low and focus on those who have not only inspired my own interest in birds, but most importantly provided something relevant or groundbreaking in the study or appreciation of birds. I also have focused on individuals that are relatively well known in both in the mainstream and in scientific circles alike.
The challengers were chosen from a mix of previously described candidates in my other blog posts and some new ones I only recently learned about. All of them are compelling characters in their own right and all have an equal chance of being regarded as the "Babe Ruth of Ornithology". As I list them below, I have included them in the order they will be written about and what they are most famous for. They include the following:
Match #1. John James Audubon vs. Alexander Wilson
- The most recognized name in bird lore and creator of the Birds of America vs. The father of American ornithology before Audubon.
Match #2. Sir Peter Scott vs. Harriet Hemenway
- The founder of the World Wildlife Fund and Wildfowl and Wetland Trust vs. The co-founder of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Match #3. Rachel Carson vs. Florence Merriam Bailey
- The advocate for banning the pesticide DDT which caused declines in songbird and raptor numbers vs. The prolific writer and promoter of birding for a nonscientific audience.
Match #4. Rosalie Edge vs. Salim Ali
- The founder of Hawk Mountain, the first raptor-only sanctuary in the United States vs. The Birdman of India who conducted the first systematic bird surveys of India.
Match #5. Kenn Kaufman vs. David Allen Sibley
- The author of the Kaufman Field Guide series and promoter of birding and conservation vs. The author of the Sibley Guide to Birds and promoter of birding and conservation.
Match #6. Roger Tory Peterson vs. Louis Agassiz Fuertes
- The author of one of the most popular modern bird field guides vs. The prolific bird artist who influenced future bird artists like Sibley and Peterson.
Match #7. Charles Darwin vs. John Gould
- The father of evolutionary theory and discoverer of the Galapagos Finches vs. The father of Australian ornithology.
Match #8. Ludlow Griscom vs. Frank M. Chapman
- The pioneer in the use of field marks to identify birds vs. The founder of the Christmas Bird Count and supporter of the early Audubon movements.
The contenders will have a brief biography posted before the match up that will detail their beginnings, achievements, and top three contributions to ornithology that will be pitted against their opponent. After vetting each point, I will decide who
With that being said, I'm looking forward to my first challenger's match up! With such a biological heavyweight going up against a relatively unfamiliar ornithologist, it will be interesting to see who gains the upper hand. I hope you will be able to join me to find out who gave more to the birds; John James Audubon, the author of the Birds of America vs. Alexander Wilson
See you then!
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