Monthly Speaker Series

The Desert Rivers Audubon Society Speaker Series is offered year-round! Zoom with us on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.

Free registration here

[Click here to view previous speakers.]


Anusha Shankar: The Metabolism of Hummingbirds

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
7:00pm – 8:00pm

Anusha Shankar has studied hummingbirds in Ecuador and Arizona, investigating how they manage to stay alive given the amount of energy they expend little back up stores in the form of fat. The energy management strategy that most fascinates her is their use of daily torpor, an energy-saving state similar to hibernation when the birds drastically lower heir metabolic rate and their body temperature to save an average of 86 percent of the energy needed when awake per hour.
Shankar is a postdoctoral fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University.
YouTube video: Hummingbirds Are the World's Hungriest Birds - Anusha Shankar

Desert Rivers Audubon Society Calendar

Monthly Family Birdwalks


The Gilbert Family Walks are held every third Saturday, October through March, at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve on the southeast corner of Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads in Gilbert, east of the library. 30-45 minute walks start at 8AM and run until noon.
More info here

The Chandler Family Walks are on first Saturdays, November through April, at the City of Chandler's Veterans Oasis Park at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd in Chandler, near the Env. Ed. Center building. (NE Corner of Chandler Heights Rd. and Lindsay Rd.) These walks also run 8AM to noon.
More info here

Liberty Wildlife, a non-profit wildlife rehab organization, displays live raptors at the Gilbert bird walks in October, January and March, and at Veteran’s Oasis Park in November, February and April. Experts are on hand to explain the birds’ habits and traits, giving visitors a close-up look at these avian hunters.

Both Walks are free, and we provide expert guides, loaner binoculars, Bird Bingo for kids and learning opportunities for adults, high school science classes and Scouting groups.


Visit the ABA website for birding events across the US.


Upcoming Speakers: