Ben Guo

Purple Gallinule © Robert Royse

Meet Your ABG Guide

Ben Guo

Meet Your ABG Guide

Ben Guo

Experience, Care, and Local Knowledge

About Ben Guo

Originally from Illinois, Ben has been birding since the age of ten, when a brilliant Rose-breasted Grosbeak appeared outside his living room window one May afternoon. Soon after, he began attending local Audubon walks to build his bird identification skills, eventually setting the Big Year record in his home county.

Ben first moved to the Southwest in late 2019 and has since birded extensively across Arizona and New Mexico. During this time, he developed a strong interest in identifying birds by vocalization. In 2023, he began working with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as an annotator for the popular app Merlin Sound ID. He is also collaborating with the Finch Research Network to develop a machine learning model for identifying Red Crossbill call types. His website, Earbirder.com, was created to help birders improve their earbirding skills.

When visiting Illinois, Ben helps guide the Audubon walks where he first learned to bird—now spotting Magnolia Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireos, and other local specialties with newcomers. He is also passionate about nocturnal flight calls and often spends evenings outside listening to the sounds of migrants passing overhead.

Reviews

“We had a great day with Ben in New Mexico. He was very knowledgeable and helped us to find the local birds so we could photograph. He was also very helpful in helping us identify the birds later. Would definitely recommend.” – Colin S.

“I did a two day birding trip with Benjamin Guo in the Land of Enchantment (new mexico), covering Gila National Forest, Percha Dam, and the east Albuquerque area. Overall, the experience was surreal! Benjamin was an excellent guide and birder, and planned the trip very well to help me get a bunch of target species (16 lifers + 4 photo lifers!). I also learnt a lot about good audio ID from Ben. I’m really grateful to Felipe and Ben for organizing the tour at a fairly short notice, and giving me good advice on making the most of the days I had in New Mexico. Overall, I would strongly recommend New Mexico Birding tours 100%!!!” – Kalpesh K.

“We were joined in Taos by guide Ben Guo. Our experience was exceptional. He took us to various hotspots including in the mountains outside of Taos and Wetlands. Ben knew the bird calls and could spot them way before I could. He was patient with me and with the birds, as you must be to get a good photo! I was also guided when I was in Tucson last year by two guides. Same experience. I highly recommend American Birding Guides for you next trip that included birding.” – Mo W.

“Ben Gou was a great birding guide. Very knowledgeable and fulfilled my wish and then some. I would definitely book him again on my next trip.” – Liz A.

“We went birding with Ben Gus in New Mexico and had a wonderful time. Ben was very knowledgeable and did a wonderful job helping us find most of our target birds. We enjoyed Ben’s company and appreciated his help. We will definitely find our guides here again.” – Jeffrey N.

“Ben Guo is a fantastic guide. He has a first class ear and excellent ID skills. I had a great day and evening birding and owling with him. I got most of my target birds and a couple of unexpected lifers. Highly recommended.” – Eric D

“Ben Guo is a great bird guide. He got us all our target birds. He is knowledgeable and patient.” – Carrie M.

“Ben Guo is a great bird guide. He is good at picking out birds by recognizing their songs and calls. He did a great job leading my wife and I through the Chiricahuas and was able to help us find birds like Steller’s Jay, Grace’s Warbler, Brown-crested Flycatcher, and Mexican Chickadee by recognizing their vocalizations. He is also an excellent driver.” – Benjamin M.

“I have had the pleasure of participating in bird walks led by Ben Guo. I can’t recommend him highly enough. Ben is an amazing guide for expert-level and beginner-level birders, and I count myself among the latter! He is very knowledgeable, but more importantly, he is patient and kind. He is clearly invested in helping others learn to appreciate birds.” – Mercy D.

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