The Sacramento Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection of birds and their natural habitats. Let’s ensure that our enjoyment of those spaces doesn’t negatively impact their existence or their inhabitants.

The American Birding Association has established a Code of Ethics to help us all “practice and promote respectful, enjoyable, thoughtful birding.”

Here are a few highlights of this Code of Ethics. Please honor these important safeguards.

Minimize habitat disturbance by staying on trails.
Avoid getting too close to birds, especially those that are nesting.
Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas.
Always bird and report with honesty and integrity.
Never enter private property without the landowner’s permission.
Keep cats and other domestic animals indoors or controlled.

In addition to ethics while birding, please consider the well-being of birds while taking photographs. National Audubon Society has a Guide to Ethical Bird Photography.