Birds of North America Explores Family Bonds Through Birding

A father-daughter pair of birders struggle to see themselves and each other in Anna Ouyang Moench's tender two-hander.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:07am

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In Anna Ouyang Moench's 2019 play "Birds of North America", a father John, a scientist, and his daughter Caitlyn, who has a series of underwhelming jobs and boyfriends, bond over their shared passion for birdwatching near their home in Maryland. Through their incidental conversations while observing birds, the play explores the nuances of their relationship and the challenges they face in connecting with each other.

Why it matters

The play uses the lens of birdwatching to examine the complex dynamics of family relationships, highlighting how even shared interests and hobbies can sometimes become a means of maintaining emotional distance. It explores universal themes of communication, understanding, and the desire for connection between parents and children.

The details

John is a scientist who sometimes works on vaccines, while his wife, a physician, supports the family. Caitlyn longs to become a mother, in contrast to her own unfulfilling jobs and relationships. The play follows their birdwatching outings, during which they hold their binoculars up, eyes on the horizon, keeping a guarded distance from their most delicate flaws.

  • The play premiered in 2019.

The players

John

A scientist who sometimes works on vaccines and the father in the play.

Caitlyn

John's daughter, who has a series of underwhelming jobs and boyfriends and longs to become a mother.

Anna Ouyang Moench

The playwright who wrote "Birds of North America".

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The takeaway

"Birds of North America" uses the shared hobby of birdwatching to explore the complex dynamics of family relationships, highlighting how even common interests can become a means of maintaining emotional distance, and the universal desire for connection between parents and children.