Shebirds

Welcome

Thanks for stopping by! My name is Roniq Bartanen, owner, bird guide, Certified Interpretive Guide, native plant advocate and photographer at Shebirds. I live in the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, home to some of the most stunning natural beauty around.

As an ally in progress I welcome the opportunity to continually learn about, support and advocate for inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity. I focus on creating a safe and welcoming space for all to enjoy the outdoors.

I believe strongly in the healing power of time spent outside and I love sharing the joy of birds and birding with those of all ages, abilities and diversities.

I work as a bird guide in Seattle as well as a tour guide and deckhand for Argosy Cruises. As a long time volunteer for Birds Connect Seattle, I enjoy the community and stewardship of nature that birding fosters.

Seattle is the traditional, ancestral and unceded land of the Coast Salish people, including the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish people. I honor and acknowledge this land and it's communities past and present.

Let's Go Birding Together!

Interested in a bird outing? My Let's Go Birding page has info on birding trip options, what to expect and rates.

For group birding rates or longer excursions contact me at Roniq@shebirds.com.

Receive occasional, inspiring, educational and thoughtful bird friendly content. https://shebirds.com/contact.

Photo Credit: Jill Corral

Birding Gift Certificates

Give the gift of a bird outing! Birding gift certificates are a great option for birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers, holidays, graduations or just because!

Contact me at Roniq@shebirds.com to find out more about purchasing the gift of time spent with birds.

Shebirds on Google

Shebirds business profile is on Google. Read reviews or if you've been on a bird trip with me feel free to write a review here!

A female bird guide looks at the camera while holding binoculars and a spotting scope.

Find a Female Bird Guide

I've created an extensive and growing list of female bird guides around the world. Create a free account to find a female guide for your next birding adventure! Thank you for supporting women bird guides around the world.

Photo Credit: Mindo, Ecuador bird guide Julia Patiño by Roniq Bartanen

A woman smiles at the camera while sitting in a wheelchair on a dirt accessible path.

Urban & Accessible Birding

Learn about Birdability and how you can be a voice for birding and access to the outdoors. Explore my page of accessible birding and urban birding spots in Seattle. Pictured: Birdability Founder, Virginia Rose at Roy Guerrero Park, TX.

Photo Credit: Jeff Patterson

Ramblings at the Roost: A Birders Observations

My passion for mindful, urban and accessible birding is reflected in my blog where I write about the culture and joy of birds and birding

Photo: Red-winged Blackbird by Roniq Bartanen

Testimonials

Roniq Bartanen has been my student and a wonderful birding companion. I have always been impressed by her observational skills. She has the ability to meld with nature so that somehow she becomes attuned to all the happenings around her. This is unbelievably helpful in both finding birds in the field and identifying them. At the same time, Roniq takes a sincere interest in the people around her. She makes sure that everyone in her group is included in birding activities, that people's questions get answered, and that everyone gets "on" a given bird. Roniq's birding and people skills make her a welcome addition to any birding group. You couldn't find a better, more thoughtful leader. Any day I spend birding with Roniq is a great day.

Constance Sidles; Seattle Audubon Conservation Award Winner, Writer, Master Birder, Teacher

"Roniq is perceptive, engaging and a passionate birder/ naturalist. She is also an outstanding photographer with an artistic sense of composition. Her world travels provide her with a broad view of natural history and culture. She continues to learn more about birding and interpretation via a certified guide training class in Portland, Oregon and multiple birding classes at Seattle Audubon Society. Anyone who has the pleasure of going on a trip with her will find that her enthusiasm combined with her knowledge is infectious. She can not only teach you how to find and identify birds, but also how to photograph them."

Woody Wheeler; Owner of Conservation Catalyst

I recently had the pleasure of attending a bird walk with Roniq at Seward Park Audubon Center. It was a wonderful experience! I am not an expert birder and she was able to lead the walk in a way that made it interesting and also accessible for those who are relatively new (like me). The entire two hour walk was filled with her expert knowledge of birds and their habitats and I learned a lot of new things about the birds that live in my area. Now I know what those cute little birds are that I always see in my yard (dark eyed juncos)! She is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible as well as enthusiastic about her subject- all of which combine to make her bird walks really fun and informative.

Becky Porter MacPherson; Artist, Illustrator

"Roniq visited our class for a short presentation about birds of prey. She shared fascinating information with us and showed genuine interest in the kids' experiences. Her presentation involved lots of styles of learning - storytelling, body movement, pictures, and listening. The kids still talk about and mimic the various flight patterns we learned about at her talk, and it was a memorable day for teachers and students alike. We would love to have her visit again!"

Tracy Harrison: Teacher/Director at True Nature Kids

Welcome to Shebirds