The April 2017 edition of Natural History Magazine described David Hedeen as “a Georgia Department of Transportation ecologist and ornithologist extraordinaire.” When he is not wearing his GDOT hat, he is often wearing binoculars. David has studied birds for decades but his presentation will focus on the environmental implications of recent avian research in Georgia. While birds are fascinating in their own right, they also serve as an important barometer of environmental quality in many contexts, such as land use planning, habitat management, green infrastructure, and public health. How can Cardinals in Atlanta suppress the spread of disease among humans? Why do some Eagles now carry cell phones? And what’s up with the Falcons? Answers to these questions and more will be provided on October 25.