Joseph W. Taylor: Born To Bird

by Ann Taylor

Joseph W. Taylor BORN TO BIRD is a biography of the foremost North American amateur ornithologist and conservationist in the mid-twentieth century.

BORN TO BIRD examines Joe Taylor's life path as a journey toward his true self. This transformation came slowly. He was born to economic and social privilege, yet an unanticipated destiny with birds awaited him.
Birdwatching began for Joe at age eight. Early on, he conformed to a traditional pattern of education and employment. Nevertheless, beneath this apparent comfort lay a developing obsession with birds. His skill with bird identification blossomed, as did his curiosity about birds and their habitats. By the time he was an adult, Joe had become a serious birder.

In the late 1940s, he began to visit wildlife refuges. Often in solitude away from the pressures of family and commercial obligations, he created plans for bolstering the national pursuit of birdwatching. At the same time, he began to compile a list of the numerous bird species which he had personally identified. He joined the life listing "600 Club," an elite group dedicated to the identification of bird species. At the close of his life, he had seen over 729 individual species.

As his awareness about ecological problems grew, Joe made a pivotal decision to break with all traditional expectations and begin a new life. In his mid-fifties, he abruptly retired from business and began wholeheartedly to embrace naturalist pursuits. His significant contributions to the study of birds, his tenure on many conservation boards, twenty-six-years as president of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania and his collaborative formation of the American Birding Association are evidence of his dedication. The manifest transformation of his life was complete.

This monomythical journey is something we all have the potential to realize. Are we living out our dreams, choosing our true passion over safe decisions or expected demands? One's life contains infinite choices, some planned, others circumstantial. A life transformed from expectation into passionate dedication is an inspiration, not only for birders but also for us all.

290 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2023

About the author

Ann Taylor, author, editor and designer has been creating public and private books for decades. Producing books is her passion. Joseph W. Taylor BORN TO BIRD, a biography of her father, combines all these skills. Joe Taylor was the foremost “life lister” of North American birds in the late twentieth century. Traveling with him on numerous birding expeditions schooled Ann in the art of birdwatching which compelled her to write and compile this personal narrative.

Born in the East, Ann’s childhood was infused with birds - in conversations, on feeders, in Audubon engravings, even stuffed! Educated at Vassar College and the New School University, her book creation skills have been utilized by publishers such as Alfred A. Knopf and Paul S. Eriksson. Her books focus on biography, travel, art and genealogy.

In her eighties, Ann writes at her desk in Scottsdale, Arizona and at her wilderness retreat in the Bradshaw Mountains. She has organized a book club for countless years, loves loom weaving and is devoted to Tai chi chuan. Her family and friends are often recruited to critique her imaginative concepts. Even her cat must listen to the latest pages!

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph W. Taylor: Born to Bird is a wonderful compilation of journals, stories, images, and articles that highlight Joe's amazing life dedicated to conservation and his admiration for birds.

I love birds and I've only grown to appreciate them more as I got older. Birds are incredible creatures, if not very weird. But bird watchers adore them and try to find as many species as humanly possible.

Joseph W. Taylor was more than just a bird watcher. He became a wonderful conservationist and tried to protect birds and other species. His stories and journals are quite the marvel to read. I fell in love with his journey and felt so connected to Joe. I too love birds and butterflies, so it felt like I was able to open up my heart to an old friend. His passion is evident throughout the book and I applaud his daughter Ann who put the book together.

This is a must read on my list. If you want to hear my full review, it will be up on my blog in November 2023. But for now and my short review - Fantastic. It's a non-fiction must read that will really allow you to dive deep into this man's passion.

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from the published in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph W. Taylor: Born to Bird is an engaging biography penned by Anne Taylor, chronicling the life and passions of her father, Joseph Taylor. The book delves into Joseph's deep love for birds, nature, and conservation, showcasing his significant impact on Anne's life. Set against the backdrop of the idyllic mid-20th century, the narrative is captivating and nostalgic, as Anne Taylor's conversational tone draws the reader into her family's rich experiences and lessons learned.

Ornithology serves as the book's focal point, with Anne introducing readers to the fascinating world of birding through her father's eyes. As the story unfolds, she recounts Joseph's involvement with the prestigious 600 Club, a birdwatching group dedicated to research, conservation, and the joy of birding. The narrative is imbued with Anne's admiration and affection for her father as she shares the passion and enthusiasm that fueled the club's members.

Complementing the vivid storytelling are a collection of stunning photographs featuring color and black-and-white images of Joseph Taylor, his family, and his birding adventures. The meticulously captioned and dated photographs offer a visual journey through Joseph's life, from his early years to his later excursions to breathtaking locations such as Alaska, Newfoundland, New Mexico, Nova Scotia, and Florida.

Despite Joseph's challenges in his later years, Anne Taylor's account of her father's life is a testament to his resilience, love for nature, and commitment to family. The narrative, interspersed with uplifting moments and valuable life lessons, pays tribute to Joseph's lasting legacy within the birding community. His dedication to preserving the natural world and treasuring family bonds remains an enduring message that resonates with readers.

With its compelling narration, intriguing insights into 20th-century ornithology, and heartwarming stories, Joseph W. Taylor: Born to Bird is a must-read biography for those seeking a captivating journey into the life of a remarkable individual and the enchanting world of birds.

[Marilyn C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph W. Taylor BORN TO BIRD – a reference book, an autobiography, a travelogue. All of this … but even more! I am not a birder – never have and probably never will enjoy a trip into a wilderness to look for birds. But I can certainly appreciate the story of the man who did look for this adventure. I found BORN TO BIRD quite interesting for several reasons: It was a fascinating diary by the man who lived it – the actual journal entries about the search and all the activities involved in those searches. The photographs added to my interest – this book is not a cut-and-dried narrative of the birds (what they looked like, how much they weighed, where they were found, etc.). By seeing a photo of the bird, it provided me with a somewhat vested interest in the life of that bird. It was an interesting look at the birds but also at the life of Joe Taylor, his wife, his family and his friends who joined him in the adventures. I believe birding societies will find this a fascinating look at a man who followed his bliss. And for those who love a good adventure book, it will take you to unfamiliar places.

[Jerry Watterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating history about a man who chose his passion over the trappings of the corporate world. Giving up the prestigious life as an executive, Joe Taylor chose to pursue his lifelong interest in birding. This well-crafted recount of the life of Joe Taylor and his family is not just about birding – this biography is also about traveling the globe in search of nature and about the ongoing fight for conservation of our resources. It is striking how masterfully Ann was able to weave the details of her Father’s personal journal into the story of his travels and adventures. This book is a bible for birders, and will open the eyes of others (including mine) to the world of birding and the thrill of the sighting! Congratulations to Ann for creating and sharing this tribute to Joe and his legacy. I recommend it highly.

[Samuel Tipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an 83 y/o lifetime birder, I found "Born To Bird Joseph W. Taylor"to be a very informative and interesting book! This book is Joseph W. Taylor's story told mostly from his diary and his daughter's notes. Many of the places in the book are familiar to me, but Joe Taylor visited them about 20 years before me. Any birdwatcher would be interested in these stories and photos. In addition to birdwatching stories, this book tells of his involvement with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Eastern
Pennsylvania and the American Birding Association. I first went to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in 1970
and have returned often in the fall months. Joseph Taylor was a keen birder as well as a pioneer in Bird Conservation in America. He should be remembered for both.
S. Tipton

[Mary Roof · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photograph on the cover of BORN TO BIRD reveals the story of the man within. Ann Taylor’s loving tale of her birdwatcher father Joe Taylor’s membership in the 600 Club portrays the many jaunts Joe and his wife Helen undertook beginning in the 1940s. The 600 Club is only open to the birding elite who had sighted – and listed – 600 bird species. Having passed 600, Joe determined to reach 700 species sightings in North America, and did.
The book contains colorful illustrations of many birds, indexed at the end so it’s a nice complement to any birdwatcher’s guide. I find this book a must for any birder, newly-minted or intrepid.
Mary Louise Roof, Intrepid Birder

[Kathryn Martens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book is a friend who was kind enough to share an advanced copy, and was I ever glad she did. Although I have not experience with birding, I was fascinated with Joe Taylor's travels, the detailed information he kept and the wonderful life he and his family enjoyed. Such a treat to experience his views of the world. The cocktail parties in the outback of Alaska were probably my favorite, but it was all fun reading. I also want to emphasize that the book is beautifully done, reflective of the author's artistic talents, in photography as well as book design. Highly recommended.

[Carolyn Huggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the birder this is a masterpiece of information and history. Joe Taylor was an inspiration and leader in birdwatching across North America and into many regions in the world. His life history, as written by his daughter Ann, is a loving tribute to her father and mother. The search for differing species of birds is an “itch” many can never completely comprehend but once caught it can be a life long passion which Mr. Taylor displays throughout his life. Many will enjoy the numerous writings and varied photos of birds and family. Enjoy.

[Marilyn Etcheverry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Taylor has captured the essence of her amazing father, and mother too, in this loving tribute. Joe Taylor opted out of a privileged conforming lifestyle and instead pursued his lifelong passion for birding. Even as a non-birder, I thoroughly enjoyed following Joe’s adventures and learning about his life and family. The many photos were a great addition. For a birder, this book is a gold mine that should be on the shelves of every birder as a ready reference. -M. Etcheverry

[Lindaangeloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone recently introduced to Birding, I found this book so interesting. The joy Joseph found each day was contagious. His daily descriptions of his travels made the book personal and enjoyable and made me hope to find a similar joy in Birding.

[Carrie Laben]

Review to come in Birding Magazine