Raymond L. VanBuskirk is an accomplished birder, ornithologist, and tour leader with more than a decade of guiding experience across the Western Hemisphere and beyond. From Alaska to Chile, he has led tours throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and both slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. His experience also extends across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, where he has spent significant time studying pelagic birds.

In addition to guiding, Raymond has conducted ornithological research with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Arctic Ocean, North Pacific, and New Mexico. He has served in leadership roles with the Central New Mexico Bird Alliance and Western Field Ornithologists, contributing to field studies and community engagement in bird conservation. A dedicated mentor, he regularly instructs at American Birding Association youth birding camps and the Hog Island Audubon camps in Maine, inspiring young naturalists to pursue their passion for wildlife.

Raymond is also a strong advocate for inclusion in birding. He organizes and leads annual conferences for QBNA, a community for LGBTQIA+ birders that celebrates diversity in the field. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his partner, Marissa; stepdaughter, Savannah; and their beloved pets.