The ABA makes birding better
by providing knowledge,
sharing experiences,
and building community.

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What’s New

10-02: A Post-Pandemic Birding Journey with Ed Yong

 

Podcast

10-01: 2026 Bird of the Year Artist Kristina Knowski

Happy New Year! With the start of the new year, the ABA is delighted to announce that the Horned Lark is the 2026 ABA Bird...

 

Podcast

January 2026 Photo Quiz

By popular demand, this month’s quiz bird is a member of that widely loved family Laridae! And to make the quiz even more fun, the...

 

Photo Quiz

The 2026 ABA Bird of the Year: Horned Lark!

The 2026 Bird of the Year is the Horned Lark: a widespread, resilient, and fascinating species uniting birders through art, storytelling, and conservation all year...

 

Blog

09-52: This Month in Birding – December 2025

Jody Allair, Martha Harbison, and Rebecca Heisman join host Nate Swick for the last American Birding Podcast episode of the year, with a wide-ranging discussion...

 

Podcast

Birding’s Grandest Tradition

The annual highlight of the birding calendar is, for so many birders, the Christmas Bird Count. Birding Editor Ted Floyd and ABA cartoonist Sal Palmero...

 

Blog

We represent North American birders and support them by providing knowledge, experiences, and community because birding is fun, healthy, and a force for good.

We welcome all birders as members.

Join the ABA Today →

Membership Benefits

ABA Membership is your gateway to deeper birding experiences, and supports vital programs that make birding better for everyone.

Connect with the ABA birding community today to enhance your birding skills and learn about birding hotspots, gear, and travel with your member-exclusive benefits:

  • Birding Magazine – 8 issues/year with expert ID tips and birding insights
  • North American Birds Journal – 2 issues/year with rare sightings and trends
  • Full online access to current and past issues (50+ years)
  • The ID Vault – searchable archive of bird ID articles
  • Listing Central – manage and share your life lists and records
  • NARBA Alerts – email and web updates on rare bird sightings
  • ABA Community Access – connect with birders online and via the ABA app
  • Save on optics, books, trips, and gear with discounts from ABA partners

Your membership helps make birding better for everyone through educational and community-building programs available free to the public including:

  • The weekly American Birding Podcast 
  • What’s This Bird–a bi-weekly online bird ID discussion
  • Community Weekends at a variety of locations
  • Birding News, online compilation of regional listservs and rare bird alert
  • The Fledgling, our online magazine by and for young birders
  • ABA Young Birder Scholarships providing needs-based assistance for youth birders participating in any recognized bird-related camp, conference, or other activity.
  • Widely used standards for counting and listing of personal bird records including the official ABA Checklist
  • ABA Code of Ethics–the gold standard for responsible birding

All levels include full digital access to all benefits and a $20 tax-deductible donation:

  • eMember– $30/year (Digital-only)
  • Regular Member – $60/year (Includes print Birding Magazine)
  • Member Plus – $80/year (Adds print North American Birds + family access)
  • Additional sponsor level memberships starting at  $100+/year ($300+ members/donors recognized annually in publications or online)

  • Your membership starts immediately with online access.
  • Choose your level and click Join Now to start your birding journey today!

Giving

Donate today to support community building, education, and resources that strengthen the birding community

ABA Travel

Traveling with the ABA takes you to exciting birding destinations around the world and helps fund our mission and programs.

ABA Community Social Network

Connect with thousands of fellow ABA Members, and access special content only available here.

Birding Resources

Resources for birders of all experience levels.

ABA supporters make a real difference in the birding world

Become a Supporter

“My wish is that every person might learn to recognize 50 species of plants and animals native to or naturalized in their own region.”

— Kenn Kaufman

“Hand them your binoculars. Let them look through your scope. It’s our privilege as birders to crack the door that admits others to a far richer and more beautiful world: the one we’re in.”

— Julie Zickefoose

“Birds need every friend they can get, so find someone who hasn’t paid much attention to them, and make the introduction. Then watch the birds work their magic.”

— Scott Weidensaul