Matthew Young

Matthew Young's journey into the "Bird Side of Life" began in 1995 at Yellowstone's Lower Falls, where Red Crossbills feeding above him dropped seedcoats like a baptism into birding. That spark bird moment changed everything.

Fresh out of college with a hydrogeology degree, Matthew chose binoculars over a conventional career — driving cross-country to Yellowstone, then to Mt. Adams in Washington's Cascade Mountains, where his second spark bird, the Evening Grosbeak, solidified his calling. Nearly 30 years later, he leads efforts to protect that very species through the Finch Research Network and the Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project.

Matthew spent over 15 years at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, contributing to the Golden-winged Warbler Atlas, Merlin Bird ID, and the Lab's first Winter Finch Irruptive Survey. As lead audio engineer, he brought birdsong to life through Songs of the Warblers of North America and Voices of Hawaii's Birds. He's co-authored the Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada and published extensively on finch populations and Red Crossbill vocal complexes.

Now, as Founder and Board President of the Finch Research Network, Matthew is bringing three decades of expertise to Birdfy as our Bird Consultant. "Feeder watching has always been close to my heart," says Matthew. "Birdfy's camera feeders are some of the best on the market — I hope you'll join me on this journey and discover your own Bird Side of Life."

Her personal story is one of resilience and hope. As a young mother facing breast cancer, Holly found solace in the birds visiting her backyard feeders — moments of connection that helped shift her focus from fear to wonder. Those birds became her lifeline, and ever since, she's been devoted to giving back through conservation, education, and helping others find their own healing through nature.

For nearly 20 years, Holly has volunteered as Pennsylvania state coordinator for eBird through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, guiding birders in contributing meaningful data to science. But her favorite way to bird remains beautifully simple: right at home, connecting with the feathered neighbors who visit her yard.