Robert 'Rob' Hume is an English ornithologist, author and journalist specialising in avian and natural history subjects. From Spring 1989 (vol. 12 no. 5), until Summer 2009 (vol. 22 no. 6), he was editor of the RSPB's award-winning Birds magazine, having previously edited the young people's award-winning version, Bird Life, at the RSPB's headquarters, The Lodge.

Hume did his early birdwatching at Chasewater, Staffordshire, and was a member of the West Midland Bird Club. He spent several years studying at Swansea University, during which time he birdwatched regularly at Blackpill and on the Gower Peninsula.

He is a past member (and the fifth chairman) of the British Birds Rarities Committee; and a past member of the editorial board of British Birds magazine,[1] but resigned both posts in 1997. His autobiography, Life With Birds, was published in September 2005.

His drawings of birds often appeared in West Midland Bird Club reports and a number of books and journals.[2]

He has led wildlife holidays in various European countries, Israel and Africa and has birdwatched widely in Europe, in India and Sri Lanka, Australia, the Caribbean and North America.