The American Birding Association (ABA) is a non_profit organization of people interested in birding. It's open to all, but many of its publications and programs are aimed at birders who like making difficult field identifications and finding rare species. It supports competitive birding by, among other things, encouraging members to submit the numbers of species they've observed—in their lifetime, in the current year, or in one day, for various regions—and publishing the numbers annually.
The ABA also promulgates a code of ethics to protect birds, the environment, and property owners from over_eager birders. It offers educational programs for both young people and adults. Its for_profit subsidiary sells such things as bird guides and binoculars. In recent years, it has widened its mission to include conservation.
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.
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 Code is not copyrighted, and ABA encourages both individuals and groups of birders to adapt it or adopt it for their use.
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