American Birding
Association's
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
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their
environment.
1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
1(b) 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;
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.
Use artificial light sparingly for filming or
photography, especially for close-ups.
1(c) 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.
1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat
disturbance to a minimum.
2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.
2(a) Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.
2(b) Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas,
both at home and abroad.
2(c) Practise common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior
will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.
3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other
artificial bird environments are safe.
3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or disease. It is
important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.
3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to
predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.
4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu,
requires special care.
Each individual in the group, in addition to
the obligations spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.
4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people
participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and
experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.
4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and intervene
if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate
action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If the behavior continues,
document it, and notify appropriate individuals or organizations.
Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and
professional trips and tours].
4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and
example.
4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not
interfere with others using the same area.
4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practises this code.
4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the areas
being visited (e.g. no tape recorders allowed).
4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to
place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's
commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document
unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations.
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS CODE AND
DISTRIBUTE AND
TEACH IT TO OTHERS
ABA, PO Box 6599, Colorado Springs,
CO 80934, USA
phone (719) 578-1614; fax (719) 578-1480; email member@aba.org |
