Birding or birdwatching is the observation and study of birds, also called ornithology. This category contains websites focused on birding, birdwatching, and ornithology.
Recommended Resources
50states.com/bird - Official State Birds
List the official bird for each state, listed by state and genus. Provides detailed descriptions of both male and female birds, including coloring, size, plumage, habitat, behavior, flight, song, migration patterns, breeding and nesting locations, and food preferences. Material is from John James Audubon's Birds of America.
http://www.50states.com/bird/
About.com's guide to birdwatching, including attracting birds, buying gear and bird photography.
http://birding.about.com/
Information about bird watching, identification, and study of birds. Includes a "Bird Guide" that provides "ID tips, photos, maps, audio, [information on] habitat, behavior" and more. Also features a guide to selecting and using birding equipment, resources on bird conservation, and tips for attracting birds. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189
A nonprofit organization whose goal is to inspire all people to enjoy and protect wild birds. Offers membership information, listings of educational programs and publications, an online newsletter, an overview of the organization's conservation programs, and links to birding resources. Includes the organization's code of birding ethics.
http://www.americanbirding.org/
Focussing on birds and preserving their habitat; an excellent North American bird conservation resource, providing state-by-state information on bird species that are threatened, endangered, or of special concern. There are Christmas Bird Count reports, conservation and political action programs, a directory of local chapters, a brief biography of John James Audubon, and classroom activities and other materials for children. There are related links and topics in each section.
http://www.audubon.org/
Organization dedicated to conserving and restoring natural ecosystems. Focus is on birds, other wildlife and their habitats. Web exclusives feature stories not found in the print version of the magazine.
http://magazine.audubon.org/
Online version of John James Audubon's Birds of America from an 1840 'First Octavo Edition' of Audubon's complete seven volume text. Includes Audubon's images and original text descriptions. Bird species are listed alphabetically, or categorized by family. Audubon's drawings of some species' anatomical features are also included in the 'figures' section." Includes a list of species that have become extinct since Audubon's time and a list of state birds.
http://www.audubon.org/bird/BoA/BOA_l
Hundreds of checklists of birds currently identified in the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Click on the map of North America or browse the table of contents to access preserves by state or region. The site also provides a form to report rare birds and a proposed format for making a bird checklist. From the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/chekbird/
A full line of birding supplies and accessories can be found here, including binoculars, scopes, and kits for birding, as well as bird feeders and houses, seed, books, DVDs and birdwatching apparel.
http://www.birdingsupply.com/
A comprehensive website on birds and bird watching in India and South Asia, with illustrations and descriptions of all the major types of birds to be found.
http://www.birding.in/
An informative website for bird watchers. Includes photographs, illustrations and artwork, topical mailing lists with archives, a hotlist for birdwatchers to post about sightings, and links to related resources.
http://birdingonthe.net/
Information source dedicated to birding and gardening. Includes photo galleries, birding and gardening ideas and tips, wallpaper and magazine subscription information.
http://www.birdsandblooms.com
Birds and More is dedicated to providing products and services to bird lovers and specializes on exotic pet birds. The website provides information on their offered products that includes bird food, books, videos and tapes, vitamins, cages and cockery, toys and chew things, play gyms and perches as well as on their services that includes grooming (beak trim, toe nail trim, wing clip and blow dry), birdie day care and DNA sexing. The website also provides a health warning section for bird owners.
http://www.birdsandmore.com
BirdSource: Birding with a Purpose
This site allows birders to record their observations in order to assist ornithologists define bird ranges, populations, migration pathways, and habitat needs. The data from the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count is available for the past 100 years. There are also articles about other counts and various species as well as color photos and sounds for many birds.
http://www.birdsource.org/
The Birdwatching website is a great resource for people who take bird watching trips around the world. You can find out how to hire birdwatching guides to help you get the most out of your trip. The website also has a bird forum where you can discuss birding with others active in the hobby.
http://www.birdingpal.org/
Ducks Unlimited is a Canadian organization that seeks to conserve wetlands and waterfowl. The site has an online auction and online store where you can purchase items to support the organization's goals. The site is also available in French.
http://www.ducks.ca/
The eBird website is a birding information website that helps track birds around the world to make birding more interesting. Anybody interested in birds can contribute scientific information in this website. You can also simply view information that has already been submitted about birds.
http://www.ebird.org
The Fat Birder website is dedicated to the recreation of birding, the viewing and breeding of birds. Created by British birder Richard Crombey-Beolens, this website has guides to birding opportunities around Britain and the world. The website also reviews birding equipment and books.
http://www.fatbirder.com
Hummingbirds.net is a great resource for hummingbirds aficionados. The website provides everything you need to know about hummingbirds. The website provides information regarding hummingbirds species, attracting hummingbirds, a gallery where hummer artists and photographers can share their work, a photo album, online resources, reviews, hummingbird organizations, hummer notes, anecdotes and hummingbird events. The website also provides migration maps and hummingbirds research studies.
http://www.hummingbirds.net
The National Cage Bird Show is an American event that showcases some of the country's best birds. You can view photos of the 2007 show including the birds that won the show. The website also lists the judges for the various divisions of the bird show. The website also has details on the show's youth programs, including a college scholarship.
http://www.ncbs.org/
This website provides information about the birds of New Zealand. You can find rare books and antique prints about these birds here. The website also has information about the hobby of birding, as practiced in New Zealand. You can also purchase birding items, including field guides, from the site's store.
http://www.nzbirds.com/
Ocean Wanderers is an Internet resource for birders and pelagic enthusiasts. The website has reviews of equipment you can use to enjoy wildlife. There are also quite a few great photos of birds including the Red-necked Stint and the Asiatic Dowitcher.
http://www.oceanwanderers.com
Operation Migration is an organization dedicated to understanding and monitoring the migration of crane birds. The website's field journal provides updates on the operation's activities, which includes facilitating bird migration. You can also purchase merchandise here to support the organization's efforts.
http://www.operationmigration.org/
Prince Edward Island: Good Birding Locations
This website, provided by the government of Prince Edward Island (PEI), explains the many different birds that can be seen on PEI, Canada's smallest province. The website describes where certain birds can be found, provides photographs and links to related resources on the Web.
http://www.gov.pe.ca/birds/locations.php3
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) Raptor Learning Web
Information on the basic biology and behavior of birds of prey. Includes photographs and fact sheets on the bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and prairie falcon. Features a FAQ, glossary, quizzes, and a section for teachers. From the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG), University of California, Santa Cruz.
http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/
Organization dedicated to educating the public about birds and the importance of safeguarding them in their natural habitats. Based in San Mateo County, California.
http://www.sequoia-audubon.org/
The Complete Morris's British Birds 1891
The full collection of original color British Bird prints from 1891; a collection of hundreds of high quality scanned images of birds painted by Reverend Francis Orphen Morris. Some of the images contain descriptive information. Browsable alphabetically, and searchable.
http://www.birdcheck.co.uk/frame.htm
Birding resources. Provides over a thousand links to "all aspects of birding - ornithology, birdwatching as a hobby, conservation, where to buy optics, holidays," identification guides, birding news, and more. Includes local contacts, guides, bird clubs and organizations, books and maps, festivals, and mailing lists about birding.
http://www.fatbirder.com/
Search engine and guide for identifying North American birds. Includes a field guide maker, search tutorials and site how-to's, discussion forums, and other related content.
http://www.whatbird.com
Shipping within the United States only, at this time, this site features birding and backyard decor products, as well as informative articles about birding. Its inventory of products include bird houses, feeders and baths, birdwatching binoculars, spinners, weathervanes, fountains, and backyard thermometers.
http://www.wildbirdsetc.com/
