PRINCIPLES OF BiRDING ETHICS

PRINCIPLES OF BiRDING ETHICS from ABA

 

 

AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION
PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others.
In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.

CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS
A: Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

1.Support the protection of important bird habitat.
2.To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.
Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any
species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area.
3.Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a
need for extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.
4. Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for close-ups.
5.Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area,
and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners.
The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.
6.Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

B: Respect the law and the rights of others.
1.Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.
2.Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad.
3.Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

C: Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird environments are safe.
1.Keep dispensers, water, and food clean and free of decay or disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.
2.Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
3.Keep birds safe from predation from cats and other domestic animals.

D: Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care.

1.Respect fellow birders. Share your knowledge, especially with beginners.
2.Document unethical birding behavior, intervene if prudent, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.
3.Leaders should teach ethics through word and example, Limit group impact on birds and their environment, and others using the same area.

The Code is not copyrighted, and it's from AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION, ABA encourages both individuals and groups of birders to adapt
it or adopt it for their use. We would appreciate mention of the source of any such code of ethics as being the American Birding Association 

 

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