Speaker: Matt van Wallene

After fifteen years of active birding, health challenges grounded Matt — but his passion for birds only deepened. He redirected his focus to research, obtaining both federal and state feather licenses to study auriculares, or ear coverts.

With support from the Maricopa Bird Alliance and a network of dedicated collaborators, his study now includes 60 species spanning 14 avian orders, from hummingbirds to ostriches. In this presentation, Matt will share fascinating findings about these often-overlooked feathers through vocal, visual, and tactile demonstrations. Attendees are guaranteed to leave with at least 10 new facts about feather anatomy and avian adaptation.