This is Bird Note.

While Dara Wilson was working at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in DC, she introduced visitors

to the Amazonia exhibit.

You have to talk about every species, all the trees, all the frogs, and all the birds.

She would describe the song of a bird she'd never had the chance to see in the wild, the

Blue Gray Tanager.

When Dara moved to Panama to work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, she

heard a familiar song, one that she knew by heart already.

I heard that call and it's like, I know that call.

I know that call because I spent so much time teaching about it.

I don't know if I cried, but it was kind of a tear-jerker moment.

Encountering the Blue Gray Tanager and its natural habitat inspired Dara to keep learning

about birds and to share that knowledge with others, helping people have their own light

bold moments.

As an educator, it's awesome to like, guide and foster that journey for people.

You never know where it will go.

Dara helps organize Black Birders Week, which celebrates the Black Bird and community and

hosts interactive events.

Find out how to participate in this year's activities on our website, birdnote.org.

I'm Connor Gearing.