Michael O’Brien is a freelance artist, author, and environmental consultant based in Cape May, New Jersey. A lifelong student of the natural world, he is especially passionate about bird vocalizations, field identification, and the thrilling spectacle of migration—both diurnal and nocturnal. His curiosity and expertise have taken him across North and Central America and beyond in pursuit of birds, sounds, and new experiences in the field.

At home in Cape May, Michael serves as an Associate Naturalist with the Cape May Bird Observatory, where he leads workshops and guided outings and, for many years, conducted the fall songbird migration count. His contributions to ornithology and bird education include coauthoring The Shorebird Guide, Flight Calls of Migratory Birds, and America’s 100 Most Wanted Birds. He is also the primary author of Larkwire, a popular app for learning bird sounds.

Michael’s artwork has appeared in numerous books and field guides, including the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America and the Peterson Field Guide series. Beyond birds, he shares a deep enthusiasm for butterflies and co-leads “Birds & Butterflies” tours with his wife, Louise Zemaitis. He also coordinates the annual Cape May Butterfly Count.