American Birding Association
Encyclopedia
The American Birding Association (ABA) is a non-profit organization
of people interested in birding
. Begun in 1968, the ABA is the only organization in North America that specifically caters to recreational birders. Membership is open to all. Originally formed as an organization to focused entirely on birding for fun and for its own sake, many of its publications and programs were aimed at birders interested in difficult field identifications and finding rare species. In more recent years, the ABA membership has drawn more broadly from the entire range of birders and the topics in its publications have become equally diverse.
, its bimonthly magazine; North American Birds, a seasonal "journal of record" for North American birdlife; Winging It, a bimonthly newsletter for members; and maintains a multi-authored blog
.
ABA's youth program encourages young birders by sponsoring youth teams in birding competitions, providing scholarships to birding camps, and hosting
The Eyrie, a youth-oriented blog.
The ABA produces an annual publication of interested members' birding lists. The annual Big Day and List Report includes rankings of the total number of species ever recorded by an individual (a lifelist), as well as the number recorded over one calendar year (a big year), in one day (a big day), or for various regions.
, and the rights of others. In addition to offering ABA apparel, the organization has partnered with for-profit companies to sell such things as bird guides and binoculars
. In recent years, it has widened its mission to include conservation
.
The ABA encourages birding among young people by offering birding camps, sponsoring youth teams in birding competitions and by running an annual ABA Birder of the Year Contest.
, is considered by some to be birding's highest honor.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
of people interested in birding
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
. Begun in 1968, the ABA is the only organization in North America that specifically caters to recreational birders. Membership is open to all. Originally formed as an organization to focused entirely on birding for fun and for its own sake, many of its publications and programs were aimed at birders interested in difficult field identifications and finding rare species. In more recent years, the ABA membership has drawn more broadly from the entire range of birders and the topics in its publications have become equally diverse.
History
Initially called "The Birdwatcher's Digest", Jim Tucker sent out the first issue to a dozen friends, suggesting a group to exchange birding information and publish their list totals. The next issue changed to "Birding" and, along with a list of intentions and objectives, marked the beginning of the ABA. The organization served to connect avid birders and keep them updated on the latest identification techniques.Publications
The ABA publishes BirdingBirding (magazine)
Birding is the bimonthly members' magazine of the American Birding Association. While not a formal journal, Birding offers enthusiasts in-depth and scholarly articles on field identification and bird conservation. Each issue also features tips on North American and foreign birdfinding, news in the...
, its bimonthly magazine; North American Birds, a seasonal "journal of record" for North American birdlife; Winging It, a bimonthly newsletter for members; and maintains a multi-authored blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
.
ABA's youth program encourages young birders by sponsoring youth teams in birding competitions, providing scholarships to birding camps, and hosting
The Eyrie, a youth-oriented blog.
The ABA produces an annual publication of interested members' birding lists. The annual Big Day and List Report includes rankings of the total number of species ever recorded by an individual (a lifelist), as well as the number recorded over one calendar year (a big year), in one day (a big day), or for various regions.
Initiatives
The ABA also promulgates a Code of Birding Ethics, guiding birders to protect birds, the environmentNatural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
, and the rights of others. In addition to offering ABA apparel, the organization has partnered with for-profit companies to sell such things as bird guides and binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
. In recent years, it has widened its mission to include conservation
Conservation ethic
Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its, fisheries, habitats, and biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to...
.
The ABA encourages birding among young people by offering birding camps, sponsoring youth teams in birding competitions and by running an annual ABA Birder of the Year Contest.
Events
Each year, ABA offers conferences, conventions, and workshops at various hotspots throughout the Americas. These are geared towards seeing new life birds, making new friends, and becoming a better birder.Awards
The ABA presents several awards for promoting the cause of birding, advancing the state of ornithology and making significant contributions to education and conservation. One of these, the Ludlow Griscom AwardLudlow Griscom Award
The Ludlow Griscom Award for Outstanding Contributions in Regional Ornithology is an award bestowed by the American Birding Association upon individuals who are determined to have "dramatically advanced the state of ornithological knowledge for a particular region", through long-term studies of...
, is considered by some to be birding's highest honor.