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Rich Hoyer

Rich Hoyer began keying out wildflowers, raising butterflies and moths in his bedroom, netting tadpoles and dragonfly larvae, and catching snakes, lizards, moles, and voles with his younger brother and father before he finally discovered birding at the age of 14. After graduating with bachelors degrees in Zoology and German he began his dream guiding career in 1996 as a local guide on Saint Paul Island in Alaska’s Pribilofs. He has been a full-time leader for WINGS since September 1997.

His musical ear is always tuned into bird voices, and he has nearly instant recall of thousands of bird songs and call notes in his head, but his interests in other areas of natural history have only grown, and he continues to enjoy learning about various forms wildlife such as damselflies, keying out composites, and photographing beeflies, among many others. His other passions and hobbies include playing piano, singing, learning languages, cooking, baking bread, gardening, and knitting. He currently lives in his homestate of Oregon.

The diversity of Rich’s natural history interests is well represented in his blog, Birdernaturalist.

Upcoming Tours with Rich

Testimonials for Rich

Rich is not only an excellent leader who does his best to get everyone on the birds and make sure that everyone’s personal needs are met, but he is without question the most knowledgable leader I have ever done a tour with. His knowledge of not only birds, but mammals, insects, flowers, reptiles, and just about every aspect of nature on the tour was awesome.

- Alan B. on Peru: Rainforest Lodges of the Madre de Dios

Rich likes to share his wealth of information, not only about birds, but on botany and all aspects of nature. I really appreciate it, and he does it judiciously and skillfully such that no one ever misses a single bird. Therefore, an en-Riched experience.

- Gil W. on Brazil: Marvelous Mato Grosso

Rich’s knowledge of birds is amazing, recognising every song and call so that the visual identification comes as no surprise. One of the attractions of his leadership is his interest in all natural history, plants, snakes, frogs, mammals and insects – good to meet someone else who shares my enthusiasm for weevils! We’ve travelled with him before and hope to do so again.

- Vicky G. on Costa Rica in Spring

I can't say enough good about Rich. His knowledge and enthusiasm know no bounds (not to mention his endless energy). Great guide and acquaintance!

- Diane T. on Jamaica

Rich Hoyer is a rock star leader with his encyclopedic knowledge base of living organisms. His daily organization of all aspects of the tour was outstanding. The consideration of food for picnic breakfasts and one lunch was delightful, as were his snack peanuts and cookies. Clone him if you can get a mouth swab. :-)

- Dianne S. on Mexico: Baja California's Cape Region

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