Dan Hinnebusch -- Ornithologist for Wild Birds Unlimited

Dan’s passion for birds is built on more than three decades of recreational birding experience and a strong interest in the natural world. His goal is to learn something new every time he goes outside. Dan rarely leaves the house without his binoculars and has a keen awareness of nature around him.

Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife sciences at Penn State University. He completed his master’s degree in wildlife sciences at the University of Tennessee where he studied grassland birds—specifically Henslow’s Sparrows. The population of Henslow’s Sparrows dropped by more than half between 1966 and 2015. Henslow’s Sparrows are listed as an endangered or threatened species in 16 states.

Dan has more than 10 years of experience as a professional wildlife biologist and environmental scientist, including four years with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Throughout the year, he teaches classes about birds and ecology at Cedar Crest College for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Dan also completes bird studies throughout Pennsylvania for a local consulting firm to determine if planned construction projects will impact endangered or threatened birds. Dan participates locally in the Breeding Bird Survey, an annual international count of birds at selected points to monitor changes in bird populations. He volunteers to collect data for the Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas, a 5-year effort to map out the bird diversity of Pennsylvania. He hosts club member only events—including bird walks and monthly bird seminars. Dan is frequently asked to present off-site seminars for various groups throughout central Pennsylvania.

Dan is also the Area Manager for the Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg and York. Dan along with his wife, Melissa, and their two boys enjoy family bird walks and camping—any activity that gets them close to nature. His boys, Eddie and Andy, share Dan’s insatiable desire to learn about animals, plants and insects.

If you have a question for Dan, please email him at: Bird Help from Wild Birds Unlimited

Please include your first and last name in the body of the email. Dan will attempt to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.