Hey! I'm Alexandre Lajeunesse and welcome to my author page.
I'm a Canadian birder and trained ornithologist, and the founder of The Birding Insights. This is where I dig into the stories behind rare sightings, range expansions, and the everyday lives of the birds around us. My birding started in Quebec and has taken me all the way to the far end of Patagonia, but honestly the birds close to home surprise and delight me just as much as anything I find halfway across the world. They brighten every adventure, and if you're looking for me, I'm probably somewhere scanning for my favorite, the Long-tailed Jaeger.
My articles
Spring Hawk Watching 101: Ridge Sites, Flight Counting, and the Great Lakes Barrier
Spring hawk watching guide: ridge sites, Great Lakes barriers, and species timing.
Southeastern Arizona Spring Birding Calendar: April, May, and June in the Sky Islands
SE Arizona spring birding in April, May, and June: Elegant Trogon, hummingbirds, and specialties.
Snowy Owl Arctic Visitor Behaviors: ID, Irruptions, and Spotting Tips
Learn about snowy owl irruptions, juvenile ID, hunting behavior, and where to watch this Arctic visitor in Canada and the US during winter.
Self-Drive Birding in Patagonia: Routes, Road Conditions, and Logistics
The complete self-drive birding guide to Patagonia. Six routes covered with road conditions, vehicle advice, border crossing logistics, and honest practical tips.
Scanning Tips for Spotting Owls in the Field
Master owl spotting with expert scanning tips: find great horned and barred owls using pellets, whitewash, mobbing birds, and dusk-dawn techniques.
Sandhill Crane Migration Dance: Flyways, Courtship, and Where to Watch
Learn about sandhill crane migration, the courtship dance, how to tell them from whooping cranes, and the best places to watch the Platte River staging.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Spring Migration: Timing, Song, and Feeder Tips
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks return north from mid-April through May. Here's the state-by-state guide.
Point Pelee Birding in May 2026: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Point Pelee birding in May 2026: Festival of Birds, tram tips, Carolinian species.
Pishing Technique to Attract Birds: How It Works and When to Use It
Learn the pishing technique to attract birds: how it works, step-by-step instructions, best target species like warblers, and ABA ethical guidelines for birders.
Peregrine Falcon Speed and Nests: The World's Fastest Bird in Your City
Learn about peregrine falcon dive speed, urban nesting, DDT recovery, and prey. A guide to the world's fastest bird and its conservation comeback.
Peninsula Valdés Birding Guide: The Complete Zone by Zone Breakdown
The complete zone by zone birding guide to Peninsula Valdés. Coastal sites, steppe interior, and the hidden species most visitors completely miss.
Patagonia Birding on a Budget: How to See the Best Birds Without Breaking the Bank
The honest budget guide to birding in Patagonia. Free sites, cheap transport, and how to see the best birds on $80 to $150 per day.
Note Taking in a Field Notebook: The Birder's Guide to Better Records
Master birding field notes: what to record, quick sketching tips, waterproof notebook picks, and eBird integration for better birding.
Nocturnal Migration: How to Hear Birds Flying Over at Night
Hear spring nocturnal bird migration overhead: from naked ears to recorders and spectrograms.
Magellanic Woodpecker: How to Find Patagonia's Largest Woodpecker
How to find Patagonia's largest woodpecker by sound, habitat and site.
