Phoebe Snetsinger

Phoebe Snetsinger
Born
Phoebe Geddes Burnett

(1931-06-09)June 9, 1931
Lake Zurich, Illinois, US
DiedNovember 23, 1999(1999-11-23) (aged 68)
Madagascar
EducationSwarthmore College
Known forBirding
Notable workBirding on Borrowed Time
SpouseDavid Snetsinger
Children4
ParentLeo Burnett (father)

Phoebe Snetsinger (née Burnett; June 9, 1931 – November 23, 1999) was an American birder famous for having seen and documented birds of 8,398 different species,[1] more than anyone else in history at the time, and was the first person to see more than 8,000.[2] Her memoir, Birding on Borrowed Time, explores this achievement. She traveled the world multiple times to find birds in their habitats. She was described as having had an excellent memory and a strong competitive spirit.[1]

After receiving a melanoma diagnosis at age 50, Snetsinger took up birding avidly, becoming known as a sharp observer who kept detailed notes. Her multiple expeditions around the world to often remote locations occasionally proved to be dangerous. Initially driven to join the competition of seeing the most birds by the prognosis that her cancer was fatal, she died in a vehicle accident while birding in Madagascar about 18 years after the diagnosis.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Graham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bird was invoked but never defined (see the help page).