ABOUT US

Black Rosy-Finch © Robert Royse

Professional Birding Guides

Colorado Birding Guides is dedicated to helping you follow your passions—whether it’s discovering amazing birds, capturing that perfect photo, exploring beautiful places, or simply embracing your love of nature. Our expert guides specialize in creating personalized birding experiences tailored to your specific interests and skill level. Our unique approach combines the invaluable knowledge of local guides with the dedicated customer support provided by our administrative team. With a focus on flexibility and progressive client-centric policies regarding reservations, payments, and cancellations, we strive to create a smooth and unforgettable experience for you. We can’t wait to share our passion for Colorado’s birds with you!

Brian Genge – Guide

Brian is a seasoned birder with deep roots in Colorado. Born and raised in the state, he has explored all 64 counties. He knows the state’s avian hotspots and has worked hard to understand what makes great habitat. With a degree in geography, Brian combines his passion for birds with ecological insights during every tour... (expand for more)

His state list boasts over 420 species—and he is actively dedicated to growing it. However, Brian isn’t just about checklists; he’s also a talented wildlife photographer. His lens captures the grace and beauty of Colorado’s winged inhabitants. His bio picture is in Rocky Mountain National Park, a location he frequents regularly.

Join Brian for an unforgettable bird watching experience. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned birder, his enthusiasm and expertise will make your outings truly memorable.

Luke Pheneger – Guide

Luke is from Longmont, Colorado, and has lived in Boulder County his entire life. He started birding at the age of 8, when his mom, who is also a birder, showed him a Ruddy Duck. Ever since then, he has been captivated by the world of birds. His birding experience has ranged across the United States and the world. However, he primarily focuses on learning more about the birds and habitats of Colorado and its 64 unique and diverse counties, having visited each numerous times... (expand for more)

Luke has worked as a field technician, banding House Wrens and conducting transect surveys, and has also volunteered in monitoring raptors in Boulder County and Baird’s Sparrows in Northern Colorado. He recently graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Statistics and Data Science and a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He hopes to apply said degree to wildlife conservation.

Cole Sage – Guide

Cole’s fascination with birds began at a young age when he first spotted a group of striking Western Tanagers in his backyard. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for birding that has since taken him across much of the United States in pursuit of rare and beautiful species. Yet no place captures his fascination quite like Colorado, where the vast mountains, rolling plains, and diverse ecosystems make for some of the best birding in the country...(expand for more)

With extensive firsthand experience exploring Colorado’s varied habitats, Cole has documented over 450 species within the state. His deep knowledge of birding hotspots, from alpine tundra to riparian corridors, makes him a highly skilled guide for birders of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned birder searching for a life-list species or a beginner eager to learn, Cole has the expertise to lead engaging and rewarding outings.

Beyond personal exploration, Cole is committed to citizen science and community engagement. He has volunteered with Arapahoe County to conduct bird counts and has taken on leadership roles guiding the annual Christmas Bird Count.

Cole’s passion goes beyond just finding birds; he thrives on sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. His ability to connect people with the natural world through birds makes him an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience the best of Colorado’s birding. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate guide to help you discover Colorado’s incredible birdlife, look no further than Cole.

Simon Tolzmann – Guide

Simon is a passionate birder, conservationist, and seasoned wildlife photographer with over a decade of birding experience and four years of guiding expertise. Originally from Chicago, IL, he now studies Conservation Biology at Colorado State University. His love for the natural world began at age two, sparking a lifelong curiosity about the natural world... (expand for more)

He was named the 2022 Chicago Bird Alliance Young Environmentalist of the Year, and serves as a Warner College of Natural Resources photographer and ambassador at CSU.

With a deep understanding of bird behavior, habitat ecology, and conservation, he can aid birders of all levels connect with the avian world. In addition to guiding, he is an experienced wildlife photographer, sharing his expertise at birding festivals and events nationwide. Whether tracking down rare species or exploring diverse habitats, he brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a keen eye for detail to every outing.

David Tonnessen – Guide

Starting his birding endeavors in Colorado, David has been fortunate to travel to many corners of North America for the sole purpose of his hobby. But he always returns to the vast wild spaces and birdlife of this incredible state, where public lands make Colorado the best state to bird and explore; and he's here to show you why... (expand for more)

David is a guide for Colorado Birding Guides and guides through various festivals and events. He serves on the records committee and is an eBird reviewer for the state of Colorado, and helps train the Merlin Sound ID algorithm for Cornell University. He also maintains the “Field Marks” column for the Colorado Birds journal, which discuss es subtle and challenging field identification topics. Currently, he is a graduate student and his broader academic interests include passive acoustic monitoring, evolution, phylogeny, and migration. His bio picture is from the Sierra de Perija, straddling the Columbia-Venezuela border.

Felipe Guerrero – Owner & Guide

Felipe started his birding career 18 years ago as a college student studying natural history and ecology in Prescott, Arizona. The more he learned about birds, the more he discovered about himself and his passion for exploring the natural world and sharing the experience with others...(expand for more)

After 12 years of avian field surveys, graduate school, adventures in non-profit environmental education, and countless birding trips across the U.S. and to destinations such as Chile, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, he started what would become American Birding Guides in 2018.

Felipe was introduced to Colorado’s incredible birdlife while living and working in Mesa Verde National Park, conducting bird surveys in the summer of 2009. Shortly after, he had the opportunity to live in Crested Butte for a month in the winter of 2010. The San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado have always held a special place in his heart, and he has made frequent trips from Arizona over the years.

Felipe is the owner and lead guide of American Birding Guides and Washington Birding Guides. He is a former member of the Arizona Bird Committee and a former eBird reviewer for Yavapai, Navajo, and Apache Counties. In the past, he served as Field Expeditions Chair and board member for Arizona Field Ornithologists, as well as a board member for Prescott Audubon Society. He currently lives in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife and two kids.