Cory Gregory

Field Guides Leader

Cory Gregory, a lifelong addict of all things birds, started learning birds on flashcards at the age of three. Ever since he can remember he knew he wanted to pursue his passion and work with birds. Cory earned a B.S. in zoology in Michigan, where he also worked for Whitefish Point Bird Observatory for several seasons. He then furthered his education at Iowa State University, where he earned a M.S. studying Long-billed Curlews in Nebraska. To this day, the prairie states mean a lot to him.

As an avian ecologist, Cory has worked with a wide range of birds including Steller's Eiders in Alaska, Laysan Albatrosses in Hawaii, Red Knots in Georgia, and Upland Sandpipers in Kansas. In 2014 and 2015, Cory served as a local guide on St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs of Alaska and hasn't stopped guiding since.

Parallel to being a full-time guide, Cory still identifies as a lifelong biologist and will occasionally work field jobs when he can. As recently as 2022, he worked as an avian ecologist in northern Michigan where he captured, handled, and banded Northern Saw-whet Owls.

Cory has been based out of Hannibal, Missouri, for some time and now serves on the Missouri Birds Record Committee. When not on tour, he and his partner, Ashley, pursue their interests in birding, traveling and, recently, moths.

In North America, his stomping grounds, Cory has co-led Field Guides groups to locales coast-to-coast including Arizona, Alaska, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Maine, and Newfoundland. Farther afield, Cory has also guided in Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Peru, France, and Australia. He has a busy and wide-ranging schedule coming up thanks to adding Oregon and Michigan to his portfolio of tours. Folks have had a great time traveling with Cory, and we think you will, too!

Scroll down to see Cory's current schedule of tours.

Client comment
"An excellent experience. Cory Gregory's birding skills are exceptional. His sight and hearing seem super-human, and his knowledge of the birds' plumage, songs, and behavior is top-notch. He is excellent at finding the birds and getting the trip participants 'on' them. He was also a master at the organization and conduct of the trip, efficiently securing lodging, food, and transportation for the participants. It was a pleasure birding with Cory because he is funny, caring, genuine, smart, and helpful. Cory is one of the best." C.G., AUSTRALIA

"It was a truly wonderful trip. The group was very compatible and all of us helped each other get on the bird. Guides Richard Webster and Cory Gregory are good-natured, positive, and kind people who are genuinely interested in the participants' satisfaction with the trip. As always, your office service was excellent. Field Guides is the best operation I have used." C.H., Colombia: Santa Marta Escape

"The tour was excellent. I had great learning experiences with both Chris Benesh and Cory Gregory. I would recommend them both to other birders. Cory is a great addition to Field Guides, and I hope to see him again." M.P., Texas's Big Bend & Hill Country

Links for Cory
Here are a few links relating to Cory that we think you'll enjoy:
Cory's blog, "See You at Sunrise"
Cory's Flickr photo site


Cory's Upcoming Tours


HAWAII
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Mar 20-28, 2024 ($7050) with Cory Gregory & Mandy Talpas
Tour Limit: 14
On our birding tour we'll visit three of the major islands--Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii--giving us a chance to sample a great portion of the Hawaiian endemic birds and the seabird specialties.
ARIZONA NIGHTBIRDS & MORE
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Apr 25-29, 2024 ($2100) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A short tour focused on this area's many owl and nightjar specialties.
MICHIGAN: GREAT LAKES GRANDEUR
Status: One space available
May 6-14, 2024 ($3850) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A new tour for the richest birding in the Midwest with plenty of specialty birds from Kirtland's Warbler to boreal species.
MICHIGAN: GREAT LAKES GRANDEUR
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
May 16-24, 2024 ($3850) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A new tour for the richest birding in the Midwest with plenty of specialty birds from Kirtland's Warbler to boreal species.
ICELAND
Status: Open
Jun 7-16, 2024 ($6525) with Cory Gregory & John Coons
Tour Limit: 12
Seabird colonies, endemic landbirds, spectacular scenery, and high-latitude natural history.
ALASKA: NO PLACE LIKE NOME
Status: Open
Jun 25 - Jul 2, 2024 ($4175) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A chance to spend the better part of a week birding in one of the subarctic's most famous hotspots!
OREGON: FROM THE COAST TO THE CASCADES
Status: Open
Aug 31 - Sep 11, 2024 ($5150) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A tour for specialties of the Pacific Northwest as we explore the beautiful coast and Cascade Mountains.
ALASKA FALL GOLDMINE: RARITIES ON THE PRIBILOFS & ROSS'S GULLS IN BARROW
Status: Open
Oct 4-8, 2024 - Part Two ($3375) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A fall adventure in two parts to the far north, Part I to St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs for migrants and vagrants, and Part II to Barrow for the legendary Ross's Gull, loons, eiders, and possibly even Polar Bear and Ivory Gull.
AUSTRALIA
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Oct 15-30, 2024 - Part Two (Fee TBD / 2023=$7875) with John Coons & Cory Gregory
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.
(Tasmania Extension to Nov 4, 2024)
JAMAICA
Status: Open
Nov 16-23, 2024 ($3975) with Cory Gregory & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
A quick adventure in search of Jamaica's 28 endemics and numerous regional specialties while based at Mockingbird Hill.
ARIZONA WINTER SPECIALTIES
Status: Open
Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 3, 2025 ($2875) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
Exceptional winter birding on a short tour with numerous specialties and potential rarities.
PUERTO RICO
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
Feb 9-15, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$3450) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A week of respite to a very birdy and beautiful Caribbean island, a mix of North American and local culture and cuisine; 17 endemic birds and a number of other Caribbean specialties.
JAMAICA
Status: Open
Feb 28 - Mar 7, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$3975) with Cory Gregory & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
A quick adventure in search of Jamaica's 28 endemics and numerous regional specialties while based at Mockingbird Hill.
HAWAII
Status: Open
Mar 13-22, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$7050) with Cory Gregory & Mandy Talpas
Tour Limit: 14
On our birding tour we'll visit three of the major islands--Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii--giving us a chance to sample a great portion of the Hawaiian endemic birds and the seabird specialties.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Status: One space available
Apr 5-13, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$4375) with Jesse Fagan & Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 8
Short birding tour for many specialties and endemics including the unusual Palmchat.
MICHIGAN: GREAT LAKES GRANDEUR
Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available
May 9-17, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$3850) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A new tour for the richest birding in the Midwest with plenty of specialty birds from Kirtland's Warbler to boreal species.
ICELAND
Status: Open
Jun 6-15, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$6525) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 12
Seabird colonies, endemic landbirds, spectacular scenery, and high-latitude natural history.
ARIZONA'S SECOND SPRING
Status: Open
Jul 26 - Aug 4, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$4150) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
An ideal time for visiting one of the best birding regions in North America: great for local specialties and Mexican vagrants.
OREGON: FROM THE COAST TO THE CASCADES
Status: Open
Aug 30 - Sep 10, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$5150) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A tour for specialties of the Pacific Northwest as we explore the beautiful coast and Cascade Mountains.
ALASKA FALL GOLDMINE: RARITIES ON THE PRIBILOFS & ROSS'S GULLS IN BARROW
Status: Open
Sep 28 - Oct 6, 2025 - Part One (Fee TBD / 2024=$7695) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
A fall adventure in two parts to the far north, Part I to St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs for migrants and vagrants, and Part II to Barrow for the legendary Ross's Gull, loons, eiders, and possibly even Polar Bear and Ivory Gull.
AUSTRALIA
Status: Open
Oct 14-29, 2025 - Part Two (Fee TBD / 2023=$7875) with John Coons & Cory Gregory
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.
(Tasmania Extension to Nov 3, 2025)
JAMAICA
Status: Open
Nov 22-29, 2025 (Fee TBD / 2024=$3975) with Cory Gregory & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
A quick adventure in search of Jamaica's 28 endemics and numerous regional specialties while based at Mockingbird Hill.
ARIZONA WINTER SPECIALTIES
Status: Open
Dec 27, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026 (Fee TBD / 2024=$2875) with Cory Gregory
Tour Limit: 7
Exceptional winter birding on a short tour with numerous specialties and potential rarities.