Singer, Songwriter, Birder, Guide

Songwriter and birder, Bonner Black, was raised and homeschooled in the unincorporated town of Hot Rock, Tennessee. She fell in love with music through classical ballet classes and started writing songs as soon as she picked up the guitar as a young girl. Black moved to Nashville a week after she turned 17 to pursue music and embarked on her first regional tour that spring. Two years later she received the Artist Entrepreneur Award from The Oxford Center of Entrepreneurs at The Times Center in New York City.

The now 12-year Music City veteran has accumulated 900k+ streams and 131k social media followers. Black gained momentum in 2024 releasing her highly awaited debut album, "Hopeless RomANTICS," landing coveted playlists such as Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Pop” and Apple Music’s “Breaking Singer-Songwriter,” and playing a sold out Nashville album release show. In the same year she completed her headlining US “Fall Migration Tour” and opened 5 sold out shows in the UK.

As an avid birder, her birdwatching videos have gained 15+ million views and she has collaborated with the National Audubon Society (Alabama Audubon chapter) in the US and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK.

In fall 2025 she was a keynote speaker in Spain at the Delta Birding Festival and appeared on birding podcasts like “Life List” and Tommy Seigel’s, “Extremely Accurate Birds.” She is also an ambassador for Zeiss Nature and by integrating her enthusiasm for birds and songwriting, she has cultivated a unique and devout community and hosts bird walks called “Birding With The Bands” before shows on her tours. Learn more about Bonner and listen to her music here.

During the Thursday night keynote and opening celebration, Bonner will share her inspiring story “Beyond the Birds,” AND perform an acoustic set of her most-loved songs. Bonner will also be co-leading several festival field trips. The opening celebration for Coastal BirdFest will include a social hour, drinks, and dinner.