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
The Complete Northern Cardinal Identification and Habitat Guide
Learn how to identify the northern cardinal by crest, bill, and song. Discover habitat, range, and tips to attract these red birds to your backyard feeder.
The Best Time to Go Birding in Patagonia: An Honest Month-by-Month Guide
The honest birder's guide to timing a Patagonia trip. Why December beats January, and what every month delivers species by species.
The Best Field Guides for Birding in Patagonia (Plus the Digital Tools That Actually Work)
The five best field guides for birding in Patagonia plus the digital tools that actually work in the field. An honest guide to what to bring and why.
The Andean Condor in Patagonia: Where to Find the King of the Sky
Everything you need to find Andean Condors in Patagonia, from Torres del Paine to Cerro Dorotea near Puerto Natales.
The 20 Best Birds to See in Patagonia (And Exactly Where to Find Each One)
The 20 best birds to see in Patagonia with honest difficulty ratings, exact locations, and the species that most visitors walk straight past.
Texas Gulf Coast Spring Birding: High Island and Bolivar Flats
High Island and Bolivar Flats spring birding: sanctuaries, fallout timing, and shorebird spectacles.
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.
