This is Bird Note. While D.R. Wilson was working at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C.,

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.

Their song, I think it's very beautiful, but it's very raspy song.

I feel it was like teas and tisk-tis and multiple parts too.

But 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-jurker moment. Encountering the blue-gray Tanager in its

natural habitat inspired Dara to keep learning about birds and to share that knowledge with others,

helping people have their own light bulb 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 Birding Community and hosts interactive events. Find out how to participate in this year's activities

on our website, birdnote.org.

I'm Connor Geeran.