American Birding Association
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| American Birding Association | |
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| Abbreviation | ABA |
| Formation | 1968 |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Purpose/focus | "Inspiring all people to enjoy and protect wild birds" |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Region served | North America |
| President | Jeffrey A. Gordon |
| Main organ | Board of Directors |
| Website | |
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 focus 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.
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[edit] 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.
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[edit] Publications
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The ABA publishes Birding, 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.
The ABA has published birdfinding guides to the following regions: Alaska, southeast Arizona, southern California, Churchill, Manitoba, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire, the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the Texas coast, Virginia, Washington state, Wyoming the Bahama Islands, metropolitan areas of North America and a guide to planning North American trips.
[edit] Initiatives
The ABA also promulgates a Code of Birding Ethics, guiding birders to protect birds, the environment, and the rights of others.[1] 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.[2]
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.[3] One of these, the Ludlow Griscom Award, is considered by some to be birding's highest honor.[4]
[edit] References
- "AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION A CLUB OF A DIFFERENT FEATHER" - Spokesman-Review
- "Guide to bird spotting in Alaska published" - HighBeam Research
- "Club Promotes Hobby and Sport of Birding" - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- "J. TAYLOR, 78, LOVER OF BIRDS" - Philadelphia Inquirer
- "Birders flocking to SE Texas" - The Beaumont Enterprise
