Birdwatching, or "birding," is one of the fastest-growing outdoor hobbies in the United States. It offers a unique blend of outdoor recreation, scientific curiosity, and community engagement. While you can certainly enjoy birds alone, the greatest rewards—from learning to identifying rare species to contributing to conservation—come from joining a local organization.
This guide will show you how to find your local birding community, focusing on the two largest national organizations, the National Audubon Society and the American Birding Association (ABA), and detailing their structure and differences.
The National Giants: Audubon and the ABA
When you look for a local birding group, you will almost certainly encounter organizations affiliated with one of these two major non-profits. While both are dedicated to birds, their primary missions, aims, and local structures differ significantly.
The National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is one of the oldest and most well-respected environmental organizations in the U.S., incorporated in 1905. It's named after the famous 19th-century naturalist John James Audubon.
Audubon's Aims and Mission
Audubon's core mission is explicitly focused on conservation: "To protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas."
Primary Focus: Conservation, public policy, science, and education.
Key Initiatives: Climate change advocacy, protecting Important Bird Areas (IBAs), promoting native plants (which are vital for local bird food and habitat), and running sanctuaries/nature centers. Audubon also coordinates the annual Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count—massive, long-running citizen science projects.
Tone: Broadly focused on environmental stewardship and policy, appealing to conservationists, educators, and anyone interested in the environment beyond just identification.
Organizational Structure: The Chapter Network
Audubon operates through a decentralized, grassroots network that is the key to its local power:
National Office: Sets high-level strategic goals, conducts national science programs (like Survival by Degrees), and leads federal advocacy efforts.
State Programs: Many states have Audubon state offices or programs that coordinate activities and advocacy at the state level.
Local Chapters: Audubon has nearly 500 local chapters across the country. Each chapter is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is voluntarily affiliated with the National Audubon Society.
Autonomy: This structure means local chapters operate with significant autonomy. They have their own boards, run their own finances, and tailor their activities to local needs (e.g., protecting a local salt marsh or urban forest).
Local Activities: Chapters are the heart of local involvement, organizing:
Bird walks and field trips.
Educational programs and speakers.
Local conservation projects (e.g., habitat restoration).
Community advocacy (e.g., lobbying local city councils).
Joining an Audubon chapter is the best way to get involved in local bird-focused conservation and community science.
The American Birding Association (ABA)
Founded in 1969, the ABA has a distinct, more recreational and technical focus than Audubon.
ABA's Aims and Mission
The ABA's mission is "Inspiring all people to enjoy and protect wild birds," with a strong emphasis on the hobby and sport of birding itself.
Primary Focus: The act of birding, bird identification, listing, ethics, publications, and fostering the birding community.
Key Initiatives: It maintains the official ABA Checklist for the ABA Area (U.S., Canada, etc.), publishes the technical journal North American Birds, and provides extensive resources for serious birders, including a Code of Birding Ethics. They also run programs for young birders.
Tone: Geared toward the passionate birder, focusing on skills development, travel, listing, and the technical aspects of ornithology. The ABA historically shied away from the explicit conservation advocacy that defines Audubon, though its mission does include "protect" and its programs encourage ethical birding.
Organizational Structure: National Resources, Fewer Chapters
The ABA is structured more as a national membership organization that supports birders, rather than a network of local chapters.
National Office: Based in Colorado Springs, the office focuses on publications, membership services, birding standards, and national programs (tours, workshops).
Local Affiliation: The ABA does not have the widespread, independent chapter network that Audubon does. Instead, it provides a comprehensive directory of bird clubs and organizations across North America, many of which are completely independent organizations, state ornithological societies, or local Audubon chapters.
If you are a birder interested in improving your field identification skills, learning about the latest in taxonomy and listing, or participating in large-scale birding events and travel, the ABA is a vital resource.
Finding and Joining Your Local Birding Group
Regardless of whether you seek conservation action or recreational trips, your next step is to find the local group nearest you.
1. Identify Your Local Audubon Chapter
This is often the easiest entry point for beginners and conservationists alike.
Online Search: Use the National Audubon Society's "Find a Chapter" tool on their website, or simply Google search "Audubon Society" followed by your city, county, or state name (e.g., "Seattle Audubon Society" or "Central Texas Audubon Chapter").
Look for Activities: Once you find their website, look for:
Field Trip Calendar: The schedule of bird walks. Most are free, open to the public (or cost a small fee), and are explicitly welcoming to beginners.
Meetings/Programs: Monthly meetings often feature guest speakers on topics like local ecology, migration patterns, or bird photography.
Volunteer Opportunities: This is your chance for hands-on involvement—working on habitat restoration, counting birds for citizen science projects, or helping with outreach.
2. Discover Independent Bird Clubs and Ornithological Societies
These groups are essential and often provide the most specialized local knowledge.
ABA Directory: The American Birding Association maintains a detailed directory of local and state birding clubs, including many non-Audubon affiliated groups. This is a great resource for finding groups that focus purely on recreational birding.
State Ornithological Societies: Most states have a state-level organization (e.g., the "Illinois Ornithological Society" or "Florida Ornithological Society"). These groups focus on documentation, publishing scientific records, and advanced birding across the state.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology (eBird): Checking the eBird Hotspots page for your region can show you where local birders congregate. These areas often have social media or listserv groups associated with them.
3. Check Local Nature Centers and Refuges
Your local National Wildlife Refuge, State Park, or independent nature center is a hub for birding activity.
Partner Events: These centers frequently host bird walks and field trips run in partnership with local Audubon chapters or bird clubs.
Citizen Science: They often act as staging areas for major citizen science projects like the Christmas Bird Count or Project FeederWatch.
4. Connect Online
Social media platforms are now critical for the birding community.
Facebook/Nextdoor: Search for terms like "[Your City] Birding," "[Your County] Bird Watchers," or "[Your State] Rare Bird Alerts." These groups are excellent for sharing sightings, asking for identification help, and quickly learning about upcoming impromptu birding meetups.
Listservs/Email Groups: Many older, established groups still use email listservs for rapid communication about rare birds or last-minute trips. Look for links on club websites.
Taking the Plunge: Your First Steps
Your first trip can be intimidating, but local birding groups are generally incredibly welcoming, as everyone remembers being a beginner.
| Action | Goal | What to Expect |
| Attend a Field Trip | The best way to meet people and learn to identify birds by sight and sound. | Trips are often categorized by skill level (Beginner/Intermediate). Experienced birders will patiently point out species and help you use your binoculars. |
| Join a Meeting | Learn about a specific topic and meet non-birding-trip members (e.g., conservation advocates). | A formal presentation, followed by announcements, club news, and often a social time. |
| Volunteer for Citizen Science | A low-pressure way to contribute to actual scientific data. | Join a team for the Christmas Bird Count (usually in late December/early January), or simply start tracking your yard sightings on the eBird app. |
| Join as a Member | Support the organization financially and receive newsletters/perks. | Dues are usually modest (e.g., $20-$40/year) and directly support local activities, educational materials, and conservation work. |
By stepping into the world of local birding organizations, you move from passively observing nature to actively participating in its preservation and understanding. Find your local chapter, grab your binoculars, and get ready to enjoy a hobby that truly makes a difference.
