The University of Pittsburgh Library System's 

Annual Audubon Day

Friday, November 21, 2025  |  Hillman Library, 3rd Floor

This is what you've been waiting for "owl" year!

Audubon, Wilson, and the Race to Describe the Birds of America presented by Kenn Kaufman

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Archives & Special Collections Instruction Room, 340 Hillman Library

Join naturalist and author of The Birds That Audubon Missed, Kenn Kaufman, as he explores the historic rivalry that helped to shape John James Audubon's spectacular Birds of America.

When John James Audubon set out to compile his Birds of America, he faced a challenge: Alexander Wilson was already regarded as the ultimate expert on our birds, based on his nine-volume American Ornithology. To make a name for himself, Audubon would have to outdo Wilson in every way. In this presentation, naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman will describe Audubon's drive to find as many birds as possible, to discover new species, and to produce one of the great natural history works of all time.

Audubon Prints on Display

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Archives & Special Collections Instruction Room, 320 Hillman Library

Not an early bird? Be sure to check out the Open Lab (1st Floor) and Text & conText Lab (3rd Floor) for other bird-related hands-on fun — it’s sure to be a hoot!

Hillman Library is located at 3960 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Metered on-street parking is available on various streets surrounding the library. Paid parking is also available at Soldiers & Sailors Parking Garage (.2 miles from the library). Hillman is also accessible by public transportation. See the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website for planning your trip. 

Please email uls-events@pitt.edu with any questions or accessibility accommodation requests.

RSVP