In May 2020, a video went viral showing a White woman calling the police on a Black man who was birdwatching in Central Park in New York City. The woman falsely accused the man of threatening her after he asked her to leash her dog in an area where dogs were required to be leashed. The incident sparked outrage and accusations of racism against the woman. The man who was falsely accused was later revealed to be Christian Cooper, an avid bird watcher who regularly visited that area of Central Park for birding. Despite the unfortunate incident, Christian Cooper’s passion for bird watching has now led to him hosting his own bird watching show.
The Viral Central Park Video
On May 25, 2020, Christian Cooper was bird watching in a wooded area of Central Park called the Ramble. This area is popular with birders as it contains a wide variety of bird species. Dogs are required to be leashed in the Ramble to avoid disturbing wildlife, but Christian noticed a woman with her dog off-leash. He politely asked her to leash her dog, but she refused. When Christian offered the dog treats to try to lure it away from wildlife, the woman became angry and threatened to call the police, falsely claiming Christian was threatening her. She called 911 and hysterically claimed “There’s an African American man threatening my life.” The entire incident was captured on video by Christian and went viral, sparking widespread accusations of racism against the woman who has since been nicknamed “Central Park Karen.”
Who is Christian Cooper?
Christian Cooper is a 57-year-old Black man who is an avid bird watcher living in New York City. He is a graduate of Harvard University and works as a senior editor at Marvel Comics. Christian regularly visits the Ramble area of Central Park to view birds, as it is one of the best birding spots in New York City. He is on the board of the New York City Audubon Society and is described by other birders as being very knowledgeable and passionate about bird watching. Christian has said the incident with “Central Park Karen” will not deter him from continuing to bird watch in the park.
Christian Cooper Gets His Own Bird Watching Show
Despite the infamous Central Park video bringing him unwanted attention, Christian Cooper’s passion for birding has now led to an exciting opportunity. In October 2022, Christian Cooper began hosting his own bird watching show on National Geographic called “Extraordinary Birder.” The show follows Christian as he travels to some of the best bird watching locations across the United States.
Each episode features Christian visiting a different location known for its bird diversity and abundance. He goes on birding adventures to spot and identify rare species while educating viewers about bird watching. Locations he visits include the Everglades, Big Bend, the Upper Mississippi River, and the Rio Grande. Some rare birds shown on the series include the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, thought to be extinct, which Christian managed to capture on film in Arkansas.
The show premiered on October 29, 2022 and has received glowing reviews from birding enthusiasts and experts alike. Christian’s in-depth birding knowledge combined with his enthusiastic and charming on-screen presence have made the show a hit. Each episode leaves viewers more fascinated by the diverse and extraordinary bird life across the country.
Highlights from Episodes
Everglades, Florida
– Spotted rare Roseate Spoonbills wading through the wetlands
– Captured a limpkin swimming through grass while hunting for apple snails
– Filmed a reddish egret doing its unique “canopy feeding” dance
Big Bend, Texas
– Saw magnificent peregrine falcons and turkey vultures soaring over the Rio Grande
– Observed a colony of cliff swallows nesting in the canyon walls
– Spotted a rare Lucifer hummingbird, only found in the U.S. in Big Bend
Upper Mississippi River, Minnesota
– Witnessed spectacular migration of thousands of snow geese and tundra swans
– Saw bald eagles fishing along the river and nesting in tall trees
– Spotted prothonotary warblers, colorful golden-headed birds, in wooded swamps
Rio Grande, New Mexico
– Observed vermilion flycatchers, sparrow-sized birds with bright red plumage
– Watched great horned owls silently hunt for prey at dusk
– Filmed a rare pygmy nuthatch, a tiny gray bird that nests in ponderosa pines
Christian Cooper’s Birding Expertise
As demonstrated on his new show, Christian Cooper has immense knowledge about birds that comes from decades of passionate bird watching. According to fellow birders, Christian has a remarkable ability to visually identify hundreds of bird species instantly based on subtle differences in plumage, size, behavior, bird song, and habitat. He also knows exactly where and when to spot rare birds based on migration patterns, weather, seasons and time of day.
Christian shares fun facts about the birds he finds, like how limpkins have specialized bills to extract snails or how turkey vulture wings are perfectly adapted for soaring. His enthusiasm toward every new bird spotted, no matter how common, is infectious for both novice and expert bird watchers alike. Christian told Audubon magazine his superpower is “instantly recalling the distinctive characteristics of approximately 600 species of birds found on the North American continent.” This superhuman ability to identitfy and recall facts about hundreds of species is a major factor in Christian’s success as a birder and now TV birding host.
Reviews of Christian Cooper’s Show
Christian Cooper’s new bird watching show “Extraordinary Birder” has received rave reviews:
- – “Christian’s obvious passion for birding combined with his charisma, humor and knowledge make this show a joy to watch for bird enthusiasts and novices alike.” – Entertainment Weekly
- – “A must-watch show for nature lovers that sheds fascinating light on the incredible diversity of bird life across the U.S.” – Audubon Magazine
- – “Cooper’s innate flair for communicating intriguing details about birds in a warm and accessible way is the heartbeat of this vibrant series.” – Variety
- – “With Christian’s rare gift for both spotting and identifying remarkable bird species, this show takes viewers on birding adventures most can only dream of.” – National Geographic
- – “Thanks to Christian’s contagious obsession for birding, I’ve become hooked on looking for birds in my own backyard.” – Washington Post
The show has been a ratings success for National Geographic, drawing in both devoted bird watchers as well as new audiences intrigued by Christian’s extraordinary ability. It has proven birding can make for entertaining and enlightening television in the right hands.
Importance of Diversity in Birding
While Black bird watchers have always existed, their representation has been lacking in the mainstream birding community. Christian Cooper’s high profile incident in Central Park followed by his new show has helped highlight the need for diversity and inclusion of Black birders. Cooper has used his platform to speak out about confronting racism within the birding community.
Groups like Black Birders Week have also formed to create welcoming spaces for Black birding enthusiasts. Thanks to birders like Christian Cooper paving the way, future generations of diverse bird watchers will be able to freely enjoy their passion. Christian’s extraordinary talent serves as an inspiration that birding is an activity anyone can participate in and excel at no matter their background.
Conclusion
The viral incident involving Christian Cooper being wrongfully accused while birding quickly turned around into an unexpected positive when he was offered the chance to host his own birding show. Despite the trauma of that event in Central Park, Christian’s lifelong love of bird watching could not be dimmed. His natural flair for communicating fascinating details about species combined with his sheer joy at spotting extraordinary birds makes him the perfect birding host. The success of his National Geographic show “Extraordinary Birder” demonstrates that a passion for birding transcends race, gender and background. No matter your walk of life, you too can find immense fulfillment in the hobby of bird watching just like Christian Cooper.