Instagram story viewer> @tykeejames> Posts

Tykee James

@tykeejames

7.6K

followers

4567

following

Featured in "Bird Names" | Political Millennial | Birder | Left handed | rice > pasta | #BoulderJawn | #BlackBirdersWeek | @amplify_future | 🇵🇷

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Can you imagine being named after someone who not only enslaved people but also collected human skulls to prove bogus racist theories?!

Learn more by watching ‘Bird Names’ on @cbcgem in 🇨🇦 or on YouTube by clicking the link in our bio to WATCH! 📺.

#EarthTones #BirdNames #Diversity #History #Birding taken in Toronto Ontario Canada by @tykeejames

3

1

9 days ago

Thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected as a BendFilm: Basecamp 2026 Fellow for my fresh feature doc!

In October, I’ll be offline in the Oregon woods for this retreat to develop the project alongside a group of talented filmmakers under the guidance of seriously impressive mentors. I like to say #alwaysBeCohortin. Can’t wait to tell you more about the project!

Thanks to @holly.maikin for the guidance! #analogLyfe @bendfilmfestival #friendDocs #ChicagoBirder taken in Bend, Oregon by @tykeejames

38

7

a month ago

We can’t blame the Townsend's Warbler for wanting to stay in the penthouse!

In our short documentary, ‘Bird Names’, cinematographer @itsryanwilkes and Environmental Educator @tykeejames highlight the waiting game it takes to get that perfect shot. And also, give us a questionable lesson on anatomy!

Stream ‘Bird Names’ now on @cbcgem in 🇨🇦 or on YouTube by clicking the link in our bio to WATCH! 📺

#EarthTones #BirdNames #Documentary #Birding taken in Victoria, British Columbia by @tykeejames

3

20

a month ago

Audubon is synonymous with Birding…but did you know the legacy behind the man has an uglier side that the beautiful birds he’s known for?

Watch our documentary with CBC, ‘Bird Names’, now streaming on @cbcgem in 🇨🇦 or on YouTube by clicking the link in our bio to WATCH! 📺.

#EarthTones #BirdNames #Inclusivity #Diversity #Documentary taken in Toronto Ontario Canada by @tykeejames

3

13

a month ago

Just eating and drinking by @tykeejames

56

6

a month ago

Sorry, not sorry!

‘Bird Names’ follows a BIPOC and queer-led film crew through the importance of changing over 150 names of birds that were named after people with colonial legacies.

See how the crew move forward by watching ‘Bird Names’, now on @cbcgem in 🇨🇦 or on YouTube by clicking the link in our bio to WATCH! 📺.

#EarthTones #BirdNames #BIPOC #Documentary #Birding taken in Turtle Island by @tykeejames

3

15

2 months ago

Excited to announce that Bird Names has been nominated for best short film at the Venice Shorts Film Festival!

Venice Shorts of LA was founded by a team of American and Canadian filmmakers in Venice Beach California. The festival, which focuses on promoting Indie filmmakers, has turned into one of the most popular international short film festivals with sold out screening in Los Angeles.

Thank you @cbcdocs @cbcgem for trusting our team and crew to tell this lighthearted - but important - environmental justice story. #BirdNames #BirdNamesonCBC taken in Vancouver Island by @tykeejames

3

37

3 months ago

What a wonderful weekend!🦆🎉 On Saturday night, we got to enjoy a special screening of the newly released documentary “Bird Names,” with @tykeejames who stars in the film🎬 After the screening, we had a Q&A panel with experts on this topic including Tykee (left) our co-leader @kassthefish (middle left), and Dr. Sushma Reddy (middle right) that was moderated by club president @sydney_kakuk (right).

After a lively discussion, we enjoyed a birding session led by Tykee and our leaders the following morning at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park!🌳 We got to talk more about real world examples of birds who need new names and experience the treetop walk at @mississippigateway ! We were also lucky to see 19 species of bird before the storm came in⛈️

We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to @tykeejames , @earthtoneslab , @cbc , and the production crew for bringing attention to this critical issue and for allowing us to share your work with other passionate birders🩷 We would also like to thank our partners at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for hosting our movie night and for all the work they do to conserve our beautiful state and educate others🌲 We would also like to thank our fledgling community for continuing to show up to our events with passion, curiosity, and kindness☀️ We are so grateful for all of the wonderful people we get to bring together🥰 taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @tykeejames

107

9

3 months ago

Have you ever wondered why birds are named after the men who “discovered” them? Do you question why we still abide by these conventions? Do these names tell us about the birds themselves? Do you think birds deserve names for birds?

Well, there has been a debate brewing in the ornithological, zoological, and birding communities about these exact same questions. The newly released documentary “Bird Names” explores these questions and what affect the answers have on accessibility, understanding, and community around birds.

On June 27 & 28, we have TWO very special events! We will host a screening of the documentary “Bird Names,” followed by a Q&A panel after the movie led by @tykeejames - an environmental justice coordinator, advocate, and educator who appeared in the film and helped to launch #blackbirdersweek along with our co-founder, @kassthefish !

RSVP at the link in our bio🔗 Please reserve tickets, as we will have limited seating. Thank you to @urbanbirdcollective for providing us with a great venue to screen this film! There are no restrictions to the accompanying walk on June 28. Questions or concerns? DM us!📩

Do you have to identify as a woman to join? No! Anyone who uplifts women, our immigrant neighbors, and the historically marginalized peoples that make the Twin Cities Metro a beautiful, vibrant place is welcome to participate🩷

#fbctwincitiesmetro #feministbirdclub #birdwatching #birdnames taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @tykeejames

210

7

4 months ago

Happy Pride, birders!⚧️🌈💅🩷 What’s unique, colorful, beautiful, and gay asf?🦚🏳️‍🌈 Why - just the earth and all its creatures, babes!🌎 Nature is a little fruity, and we are, too🍓😺

This virtual event will explore the fluidity of sexuality and gender within nature by covering the curriculum “Birding Beyond the Binary,” developed by educator and political advocate, @tykeejames 🦆💜 He will be joined by our co-leader and co-founder, @kassthefish , who is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, specializing in ichthyology (fishes)🐟🌈Additionally, Sam Getty, the full-time curator of specimens for the Bell Museum, will also join us to lend her expertise on this subject🪿🩷

Do you have to identify as a woman to join?💅 No! Anyone who uplifts women, our immigrant neighbors, and the historically marginalized peoples that make the Twin Cities Metro a beautiful, vibrant place is welcome to participate🩷

Do you have to be an FBC member?👀 No!! As long as you have a stable wifi connection & interest in learning more, you are welcome to attend!

RSVP at the link in our bio🔗 Questions or concerns? DM us!📩

#fbctwincitiesmetro #birding #virtualevent #feministbirdclub #happypride taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @tykeejames

687

7

4 months ago

Scallion pancakes + #BlackBirdersWeek + #BirdNames taken in Lafayette, Colorado by @tykeejames

66

5

4 months ago

I’m co-hosting my first virtual screening with @earthtoneslab on Tuesday, May 26 | 5–6 pm MDT

Following the screening, we’ll have a Q&A with Nicole Jackson (@blkngrnbeauty)and an executive producer from @cbcdocs!

**RSVP at link in bio!**

**About the film:**

Nearly 150 North American birds are named after White men with harmful legacies. *Bird Names* follows BIPOC and Queer birders as they explore why renaming matters for conservation, equity, and the future of the planet.

#BirdNames #Birding #Conservation #EnvironmentalJustice #EquityInNature by @tykeejames

259

7

4 months ago