Jeff Reiter

Jeff Reiter became a serious birder in 1994, the same day he encountered a striking little bird while on vacation in South Carolina. Within hours he learned the name of it, Hooded Warbler. The experience rekindled a boyhood passion for birds and nature. Reiter has been watching birds closely ever since—at home, in the field, at birding festivals, and on family trips. In 2004, he began writing “Words on Birds,” a newspaper column in suburban Chicago devoted to birds, birding, and birders. His enthusiasm for the hobby shines through, appealing to serious and casual birders alike. He encourages new birdwatchers, especially kids, who might find their spark just outside the kitchen window. Newly retired and excited for more birding-related travel, Reiter lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with his wife, Catherine. Their backyard feeders are rarely empty. (Photo by Glenn Kaupert)