Chris Benesh grew up birding in California. After earning his degree in zoology, Chris joined the Field Guides staff, and his life underwent a wonderful transformation. The intervening years at Field Guides have taken him to many corners of the world and across both the Arctic and Antarctic circles!
Chris's passion for education has led to his serving on the Arizona Bird Committee, leading the occasional workshop, and--we must add--thoroughly explaining in admirable detail the nuances of flycatchers to tour participants and colleagues alike. Chris's schedule includes tours to many parts of North America, Panama, Mexico, Australia, and occasionally Peru. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Scroll down to see Chris's current schedule of tours.
Have you checked out our new OutBirding with FieldGuides video series? It features episodes covering not just guided tours of great birds and habitats but also interviews with fascinating bird-folks, field techniques, tools of the trade, field recipes, and much more. This is a long-term venture that will share much of what our guides love about birds and birding, both their own experiences and their tips for enjoyable, enriching field time. Why not subscribe for a modest annual or monthly fee?
Client comment
"Chris makes birding extra fun. His birding style and talent and good humor and helpfulness ensure a great trip for participants with varying levels of birding experience. I hope to travel with him in the future." A.B., SPAIN: LA MANCHA, COTO DONANA & EXTREMADURA
"Field Guides is always our favourite tour company, and we decided it would be nice to escape the northwest winter for a while. We are always keen to travel with Chris, and there were several of the more difficult Texas species that we'd not previously seen that were on the list for this trip. We got them all. An excellent overall experience. Guide Chris Benesh was super as ever..." B.M., SPRING IN SOUTH TEXAS
"I chose Field Guides, in part, because the company had great reviews. My tour experience was great. The guides were very knowledgable and committed. The group gelled well and we had a lot of fun. Chris Benesh was a fantastic guide -- he brought a supreme birding knowledge and wealth of guiding experience along with patience and a sense of humor. He made the trip fun as well as informative. This was my first birding trip and it was fantastic! I would definitely go on another Field Guides Tour." R.H., PANAMA'S CANOPY LODGE
Chris's Upcoming Tours
Apr 22 - May 1, 2023 ($4075) with Chris Benesh & Eric Hynes
Tour Limit: 13
Colima and Golden-cheeked warblers, Montezuma Quail, and other southern borderland specialties in Texas's grand desert mountain landscapes.
May be combined with Texas Coast Migration Spectacle
May 12-21, 2023 ($3725) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
One of the most exciting destinations in North America with a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery.
May 31 - Jun 16, 2023 ($12350) with Chris Benesh & Micah Riegner
Tour Limit: 14
Our fabulous survey of the best of Alaska birding: the Pribilofs, Kenai Fjords, Nome, and Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow).
Jul 2-12, 2023 ($5775) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 8
Boreal specialties, seabird colonies, and numerous breeding landbirds in the beautiful Canadian Maritimes.
Jul 29 - Aug 7, 2023 ($3950) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
An ideal time for visiting one of the best birding regions in North America: great for local specialties and Mexican vagrants.
Sep 5-14, 2023 ($4950) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
A diverse mix of West Coast specialties, montane species, and pelagics in rugged and scenic sites.
Sep 29 - Oct 19, 2023 - Part One (Fee TBD / 2022=$9850) with Chris Benesh & Tom Johnson
Tour Limit: 12
In two parts for those with limited time. Part I covers the environs of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, southwest Australia, and Alice Springs. Part II begins in Darwin and continues to Queensland (Cairns, Atherton Tableland, Outback Queensland, and O'Reilly's Guest House). Both parts combine for a complete birding tour of Australia. An optional endemic-rich extension to Tasmania follows Part II.
Nov 18-27, 2023 (Fee TBD) with Chris Benesh & local guide
Tour Limit: 12
A tour for the most interesting birds of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula amidst its attractive Mayan sites and only a short flight from the US.
Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 6, 2024 ($3675) with Chris Benesh & local guide
Tour Limit: 12
One-site holiday tour based at the comfortable Rancho Naturalista Lodge, with excursions to other habitats on Costa Rica's bird-rich Caribbean slope.
Jan 13-19, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$2525) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
Escape the winter birding doldrums on our week-long tour to the bird-rich Rio Grande Valley, with specialties from kiskadees and Green Jays to Hook-billed Kites and Altamira Orioles. And the winter potential for Mexican vagrants is terrific!
Feb 10-17, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$4225) with Chris Benesh & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
Two wonderful lodges for a rewarding tropical birding experience in this English-speaking country, including some regional specialties. Great as an intro to or continuation of your Neotropical birding.
Mar 2-9, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$3125) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 14
Superb birding with two dozen Mexican endemics and fascinating ruins while based in lovely Oaxaca City.
May be combined with Mexico: Oaxaca's Atlantic & Pacific Slopes
Apr 20-29, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$4075) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 14
Colima and Golden-cheeked warblers, Montezuma Quail, and other southern borderland specialties in Texas's grand desert mountain landscapes.
May be combined with Texas Coast Migration Spectacle
May 10-19, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$3725) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
One of the most exciting destinations in North America with a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery.
May 29 - Jun 14, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$12350) with Chris Benesh & Micah Riegner
Tour Limit: 14
Our fabulous survey of the best of Alaska birding: the Pribilofs, Kenai Fjords, Nome, and Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow).
Jun 30 - Jul 10, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$5775) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 8
Boreal specialties, seabird colonies, and numerous breeding landbirds in the beautiful Canadian Maritimes.
Jul 20-29, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$3950) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
An ideal time for visiting one of the best birding regions in North America: great for local specialties and Mexican vagrants.
Sep 5-14, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2023=$4950) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 7
A diverse mix of West Coast specialties, montane species, and pelagics in rugged and scenic sites.
Sep 27 - Oct 17, 2024 - Part One (Fee TBD / 2022=$9850) with Chris Benesh & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 12
In two parts for those with limited time. Part I covers the environs of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, southwest Australia, and Alice Springs. Part II begins in Darwin and continues to Queensland (Cairns, Atherton Tableland, Outback Queensland, and O'Reilly's Guest House). Both parts combine for a complete birding tour of Australia. An optional endemic-rich extension to Tasmania follows Part II.
Oct 19 - Nov 11, 2024 (Fee TBD / 2022=$15800) with Chris Benesh
Tour Limit: 10
The ultimate seabird and wildlife cruise, including fabulous South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Variable fee depending on cabin choice.
Dec 27, 2024 - Jan 4, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2022=$4625) with Chris Benesh & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
A birding tour to a remote part of Panama with many specialties seen nowhere else in Central America.