About Birding Man Wildlife Tours
Birding Man Wildlife Tours was founded on the belief that time in nature should be both meaningful and transformative. Based in Denver, Colorado, we specialize in small-group birding and wildlife tours that combine expert natural history insight with a deep commitment to conservation.
Our Story
Birding Man Wildlife Tours was founded in 2022 by Ryan Dibala, a lifelong birder and field ecologist who discovered that the most meaningful work happens not just through research, but through connection. After more than two decades studying birds and ecosystems, Ryan realized that sharing wild places with others could inspire deeper stewardship than data alone.
After moving to Colorado in 2018, he began guiding and saw an opportunity to create a more intentional approach to wildlife tourism — one rooted in education, conservation, and meaningful human experience.
Ryan’s time living and working in Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica reinforced a simple truth: conservation succeeds when people are engaged. Birding Man Wildlife Tours was built on that belief — to offer immersive, small-group experiences that tread lightly on the land while supporting local communities and protecting the places we explore.
Meet Your Guide
Ryan Dibala, Ph.D.
Birding Man
Ryan Dibala, Ph.D.—Birding Man—is a certified Master Naturalist, educator, and experienced tour operator based in Colorado. His journey in wildlife and conservation began 16 years ago as a researcher restoring Bald Eagles to Channel Islands National Park. Since then, he has studied avian ecology in Costa Rica, worked on conservation projects in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer, and earned an M.S. in Biology researching Cerulean Warblers.
Ryan later worked as a Forest Restoration Consultant in Panama before earning his Ph.D. in agroforestry at the University of Missouri. He has taught conservation biology in South Africa and Chilean Patagonia, guided backcountry expeditions, and is fluent in Spanish. Passionate about the connection between education, ecology, and sustainable land use, Ryan now leads a nature and wildlife tour company in Colorado, helping others discover and appreciate the natural world. He lives in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife Angie and their dog, Sushi.
PUBLICATIONS
Dibala R., Jose S., Hall J., Bolívar-Vergara D.M. (2023) Silvopasture in Panama: An Overview of Research and Practice. In: Chará, J., Jose, S. (eds) Silvopastoral Systems of Meso America and Northern South America. Springer, Cham.
Dibala R., Jose S., Udawatta R.P. (2021) Silvopasture for Food Security in a Changing Climate. In: Udawatta R.P., Jose S. (eds) Agroforestry and Ecosystem Services.
Dibala, R., Jose, S., Gold, M., et al. Initial Performance of Red Mulberry (Morus rubra L.) Under a Light Gradient: An Overlooked Alternative Livestock Forage. Agroforest
Dibala, R., Jose, S., Gold, M. et al. Tree Density Effects on Soil, Herbage Mass and Nutritive Value of Understory Megathyrsus Maximus in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Silvopasture in Panama. Agroforest Syst 95, 741–753 (2021).
Islam, K., Wagner, J., Dibala, R. et al. Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) Response to Changes in Forest Structure in Indiana. Ornitologia Neotropical 23, 355-341 (2012).
Explore Our Expert-Led Nature & Wildlife Tours
From alpine tundra to tropical rainforest, our tours are designed to connect you deeply with birds, wildlife, and the landscapes they call home.
Multi-Day Tours
Our Multi-Day journeys are designed around seasonal bird movements and iconic landscapes.
International Tours
Conservation and community-focused international tours to biodiverse regions throughout Latin America.
Our Commitment to Conservation
We believe wildlife tourism should protect the places it depends on. Every tour we lead is built around responsible, conservation-focused travel that supports habitats, local communities, and long-term stewardship. Colorado supports more than 500 bird species — yet across North America, bird populations have declined by nearly 30% since 1970. Conservation isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Each year, at least 5% of our revenue is reinvested into habitat protection and community-led conservation projects.
Our contributions support land purchases, reforestation, environmental education, and community-led wildlife initiatives across the Americas. This includes:
-
Supporting nonprofit organizations advancing habitat protection and scientific research
-
Investing in habitat stamps and access permits that directly fund public land stewardship
-
Partnering with landowners who manage wildlife-friendly properties and conservation easements
-
Contributing to local conservation projects in the regions where we travel
Conservation is not a marketing add-on for us — it’s the foundation of how we operate. When you travel with us, you’re contributing directly to the protection of the landscapes and species we explore together.
Evening Grosbeak
