'audubonistic' originates from the proper name 'Audubon' (John James Audubon) combined with the English adjectival suffix '-istic', which comes via French/Latin and ultimately from Greek elements meaning 'pertaining to'.

'Audubon' is a family/surname of French origin (Jean‑Jacques Audubon), used in English to refer to the naturalist and his legacy; the modern English adjective 'audubonistic' formed by adding '-istic' to 'Audubon' to mean 'relating to Audubon or his concerns'.

Initially the root referred specifically to the person 'Audubon' and his works; over time the derived adjective has been used more broadly to denote attitudes or aesthetics associated with bird study and conservation, not only direct reference to the man.