ABOUT US

Pine Grosbeak © Bryan Calk

Professional Birding Guides

Minnesota Birding Guides is dedicated to helping you follow your passions—whether it’s discovering amazing birds, capturing that perfect photo, exploring beautiful places, or simply embracing your love of nature. Our expert guides specialize in creating personalized birding experiences tailored to your specific interests and skill level. Our unique approach combines the invaluable knowledge of local guides with the dedicated customer support provided by our administrative team. With a focus on flexibility and progressive client-centric policies regarding reservations, payments, and cancellations, we strive to create a smooth and unforgettable experience for you. We can’t wait to share our passion for Minnesota’s birds with you!

Noah Kuck – Guide

Noah is a 24-year old birder from Fargo, North Dakota. He started his birding endeavors at an early age in 2009 growing up in central Minnesota in St. Cloud. His love for birds flourished and by age 15 he was tour guiding and leading trips for the famous Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota...(expand for more)

If Noah had to pick, northwestern Minnesota is his favorite place to bird for migrating warblers in the spring and finding Great Gray Owls in the dead of winter. Noah loves to teach others about birds and the use of eBird and documenting his sightings on eBird contributing to citizen science. He assists in teaching Ornithology at his university he attends. In 2015, Noah won the Minnesota Ornithologists Union Young Birder of the Year Award.

Noah has been very fortunate to travel to Mexico and South America as well learning and gaining an appreciation for neotropical bird species. Noah is also the current Vice-President of the North Dakota Birding Society. He has been on many bird related research projects such as studying Piping Plovers and nesting grassland birds and how they coexist with cattle and ranchers.

Seth Owens – Guide

Seth Owens is a lifelong resident of the Red River Valley, spending much of his free time exploring the prairies and potholes of North Dakota and the forests and lake country of Minnesota. Whether it’s Swans, Ruffed Grouse, Loons, or Warblers, it’s a target for Seth and his cameras. His favorite sounds of the north woods are the thumps of ruffed grouse drumming or the lonely wails of a common loon on a forested lakes...(expand for more)

His photos and stories have been featured in several magazines and publications, but his current biggest accomplishment is that he is the youngest person in history to photograph all 5 species of Prairie Grouse, and is currently working towards photographing all of the owls of Minnesota (there’s only a few left!).

Seth is a dedicated educator, teaching Hunter’s Safety, coaching high school wrestling leading several habitat/pollinator education events, and biology field trips for local schools. He looks forward to sharing his skills and experience with his future tours.

John Jonas – Guide

After many years of birding, it wasn’t until someone asked him if he could hear “that bird” (which he couldn’t) that John Jonas realized he had high-frequency hearing loss. However, this discovery never slowed him down. With over 18 years of experience, John is a dedicated birder and bird/wildlife photographer passionate about connecting people with the wonders of the avian world...(expand)

Known for his sharp eye and approachable style, John specializes in helping others find their target bird species in Minnesota. He is well-versed in Northern Minnesota’s diverse habitats, including bogs and boreal forests, and blends his love of nature with a passion for photography. His goal is to ensure that every birding experience not only helps you check birds off your list but also deepens your appreciation for the moment and the natural beauty Minnesota offers. Whether exploring the rocky shores of Lake Superior, the winter wonderlands of Superior National Forest, or the mixed habitats surrounding the Sax-Zim Bog, John brings a sense of adventure and discovery to each outing.

Beyond birding, John has shared his expertise through bird photography presentations across the state. He also volunteers annually at bio-blitz events, driven by his fascination with other winged creatures, especially moths.

William Knudson – Guide

William began his birding journey three years ago while studying Ornithology as part of his Wildlife Science degree at Valley City State University, located in the Prairies of North Dakota and the Forests of Minnesota. His fascination with birds grew as he learned more about them, with a particular fondness for Warblers and Owls...(expand)

His extensive fieldwork has greatly enriched his knowledge and experience. As a Dove Banding Technician, he explored the prairies of North Dakota. Later, as a CWD Technician with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, he had the opportunity to work in the Bluff Country of Southeastern Minnesota. Additionally, during his time as an invasive species support member with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he encountered a variety of western birds, including the Mountain Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting, and Spotted Towhee.

William is an active member of the Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society and aspires to join the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union. He has a special appreciation for Sax-Zim Bog, where last winter he had unforgettable sightings of the Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Snowy Owl.

(William’s picture captures his joy upon spotting his first Spruce Grouse.)

Felipe Guerrero – Owner & Guide

Felipe started his birding career 17 years ago as a college student studying natural history and ecology in Prescott, Arizona. The more he learned about birds the more he discovered about himself and his passion for exploring the natural world and sharing the experience with others…(expand for more)

After several years of avian field surveys, graduate school, adventures in non-profit environmental education, and countless birding trips across the US and to destinations such as Chile, northern Mexico, and Dominican Republic, he started what would become American Birding Guides in 2018.

Felipe’s first visit to northern Minnesota was centered on the incredible avifauna of Sax-Zim Bog in January. Impressed by the rich diversity of highly-sought after species, he immediately began planning his eventual return to continue exploring this incredible state and celebrating its unique inhabitants.

Felipe is the owner and lead guide of American Birding Guides and New Mexico Birding Guides. He is currently a member of the Arizona Bird Committee, and a former eBird reviewer for Yavapai, Navajo, and Apache Counties. In the past he served as Field Expeditions Chair and board member for Arizona Field Ornithologists, as well as board member for Prescott Audubon Society.