Gahanna Teen Named Young Birder of the Year
A love for birds and the natural world has taken one Gahanna teen to national heights. Thirteen-year-old Killian Sullivan was recently honored with the American Birding Association’s 2025 Young Birder of the Year Award, the highest recognition for young birders across the country.
A Spark from a Steller’s Jay
Sullivan’s passion for birding began with a single encounter—a striking Steller’s Jay he spotted while visiting Lake Tahoe. That moment, he says, ignited a curiosity that has since blossomed into a deep commitment to ornithology. “From the moment I saw that Steller’s Jay in California, I have had incredible support,” Sullivan reflected. “Because of [my parents’ and mentors’] guidance and inspiration, I have been able to learn and enjoy this amazing passion.”
With the encouragement of his parents, Brandon and Heidi, and mentors James Muller and Ben Warner, Sullivan transformed his early interest into a leadership role within the birding community.
Recognition for Leadership and Creativity
In the ABA’s Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program, Sullivan stood out in multiple areas:
Gold awards in Conservation & Community Leadership and Writing
Silver award in Illustration
These honors highlight not only his knowledge of birds, but also his ability to teach, inspire, and create resources to make birding more accessible for beginners.
A Young Leader in the Field
Despite his age, Sullivan has already made a big impact. He has:
Published articles in birding magazines
Spoken at birding festivals
Guided visitors at the Biggest Week in American Birding
Led workshops at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus
Sullivan also shares his photography, digital art, and research on his website, Buckeyebirding.com, offering a resource hub for birders of all ages.
Birds, Travel, and Big Goals
Birding has taken Sullivan to 49 states and six Canadian provinces, where he has recorded 678 bird species so far. His favorite? The Carolina Wren, a familiar songbird found right in his Ohio backyard. He also enjoys birding in places like southeast Arizona, Cape May, and offshore pelagic trips.
Armed with the rare ability to recognize nearly 1,000 species by sight and hundreds more by sound, Sullivan is now working toward becoming the youngest person to spot 700 species in the ABA region (U.S. and Canada).
Inspiring the Next Generation
Sullivan’s story is a reminder of how a single moment in nature can spark a lifelong passion. His achievements show that conservation and community leadership aren’t limited by age—they’re driven by curiosity, commitment, and the willingness to share knowledge with others.
As Sullivan himself puts it: “I wanted to create a series of resources to make birding more accessible to those just finding this beautiful adventure.”
With his sights set on new species, new travels, and continuing to inspire, it’s clear this young Ohio birder has only just begun.
Why It Matters for OAA
Killian’s story highlights how youth leadership and conservation go hand-in-hand. For Ohio Animal Advocates (OAA), it’s a reminder of the importance of engaging young people in wildlife education and habitat protection. Consider partnering with youth birders and groups like the ABA to expand conservation programming in Ohio schools and communities.
At the same time, protecting Ohio’s wildlife requires ongoing advocacy. We encourage you to explore OAA’s Wildlife Protection page to see the breadth of issues facing native species in our state—including the urgent need to speak out against wildlife-killing contests.
These contests, which target coyotes and other wild animals, are cruel and unnecessary events that harm both ecosystems and animal families. Thousands take place across the U.S. each year, and in Ohio, coyotes can legally be hunted year-round. Despite being condemned by many hunters as unethical, these contests persist.
What You Can Do:
Use our sample letter to contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife and ask them to ban these contests.
Share this action alert with friends, family, and colleagues to raise awareness.
By standing up for wildlife and supporting conservation-minded youth like Killian, we can ensure Ohio remains a place where people and animals thrive together.
Source: NBC4 News
