Born in France and raised primarily in the United States, Mael developed an early ability to adapt to new environments and cultures. He has traveled across 16 countries on five continents, and his work as a conservation biologist regularly takes him into the field in places like Zambia and Colombia. He has birded rainforests, savannas, tundra, and the open ocean, and is quick to learn the birds of new regions, from the miombo woodlands of Zambia to the French Alps.
Mael is particularly skilled at identifying birds by ear, with extensive knowledge of the songs and calls of Eastern North American birds and considerable experience with the avifauna of France, Zambia, Costa Rica, and Australia. He has also served as lead seabird observer on a research cruise to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. An avid bird photographer, his work has appeared in books, scientific publications, technical reports, Merlin species pages, and on the front page of eBird.
Mael has years of experience leading people in the field and enjoys helping birders of all experience levels. Whether someone is looking for their first warbler or a rare specialty, he is committed to helping them find it. Based in midcoast Maine, he is fluent in English and French, with conversational Spanish.
