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Gavin Bieber

Gavin Bieber was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He developed a very early interest in birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles and has steadily pursued these interests while growing up in British Columbia, Virginia Beach, Great Britain and Denmark. Gavin graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. He studied for a year at the University of Southern Mississippi where he collaborated with their Migratory Bird Study Group. While still in university he taught waterfowl, shorebird and passerine identification workshops for the Victoria Natural History Society and led field trips for the university’s ornithology classes. Since graduating, Gavin has worked as a field assistant on a variety of ornithological research projects including studies of the wintering ecology of Henslow’s Sparrow, the breeding biology of the Interior Least Tern, the stopover ecology of Swainson’s Thrush and Gray Catbird and a population fitness study of auklets. In addition he conducted point counts for the National Park Service in Arizona and New Mexico and assisted in setting up a riparian bird survey for the University of Arizona. From 2002 onwards he has maintained a long-term interest in the avifauna of the Pribilof Islands, AK, spending a cumulative two years living on Saint Paul Island. He has also traveled extensively through much of Western Europe, parts of Africa and South America, Thailand, the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. Gavin enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of the natural world with others, and welcomes the chance to share his love of the natural world with new people.

Moving to Tucson in 2000 he became involved in the environmental community, serving as a board member for the Tucson Audubon Society, and on the Arizona Bird Committee from 2007-2010. He currently lives in Vienna, Austria, with his wife Celina, his son Roland, and a loveable Labradoodle. 

Upcoming Tours with Gavin

Testimonials for Gavin

Gavin is an excellent leader. Organized, knowledgeable, and personable.

- Ann K. on Australia: Victoria and Tasmania

Gavin is a fabulous leader. His knowledge of the natural world and his skills with people are exemplary. Jorge and Tino were amazing guides. 

Both Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge had excellent facilities and service. Staying in just two places and having excellent food prepared for us there saved a lot of time and trouble from traveling from a-b-c and ordering as a group in a restaurant. 

- Nick R. on Panama: Spring at the Canopy Tower

This was a fantastic trip. The countryside is stunning and diverse. The birds bright and colorful, exotic and unusual. The frogmouths were something to behold. We must have spent an hour or more watching Golden Bowerbird mating dances. O'Reilly's really lives up to its hype and you too can have a Crimson Rosella sit on top on your head like Gavin's picture under the individual leader's description. I thoroughly enjoyed a whole day at the Great Barrier Reef, the long walks deep into the forest, the watch for a platypus sighting, the thrill of finally seeing the Cassowary, and luck of seeing the supposedly extremely shy Stripe Possum not being shy at all. At the end of the trip, you didn't want it to end. You were spoiled, you wanted Gavin and Susan to give you one more fantastic day of birding. 

- Tanya H. on Australia: Queensland and New South Wales

Gavin has an amazing ability to find birds, point them out to people, take care of all the logistics, drive safely, keep everyone on track and generally remain in good humor, even on little sleep and long days. We appreciated his deep knowledge and obvious birding talents.

- Carol V. on Australia: Western Australia and Northern Territory

Gavin is the best in all aspects of leading a birding tour, birding knowledge, experience and skill, navigating and driving, organizing, identification, vocal identification, keeping the group together, finding birds, helping people get on birds, calm and easy going personality, sense of humor . . . easier to say Gavin is just the best, etc.

- Charles W. on Arizona: Owls and Warblers