Support the protection of birds and their habitat;
 

Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger;
 

Avoid using methods such as flushing, spotlighting and call playback, particularly during nesting season when birds may be called off incubation duties, or even abandon the nest altogether;
 

Be aware of the impact photography can have on birds- avoid lingering around nests or core territories for long periods and limit the use of artificial light;
 

Avoid handling birds;
 

Report rare bird sightings to conservation authorities and consider the wellbeing of the bird before making this knowledge more publicly  available;
 

Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist;
 

 Avoid leaving litter along a birding trail an otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum;

Do not enter private property without the owner’s explicit permission;
 

Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas;
 

Consider and respect the rights of landholders;
 

Practice common courtesy in interactions with other people;
 

Group Birding Ethics;
 

Lead by example and know your audience – encourage others to employ ethical birding practices;
 

Report bird sightings – all data are useful to bird conservation and wherever possible, should be reported to ornithological databases such as the BirdLife Australia database - birdata.com.au;
 

Impart knowledge – share what you know about birds and their habitats;
 

Get involved – encourage birders to engage local communities and get involved in conservation initiatives at their favourite birding locations;
 

Consider the birds – always put the health and wellbeing of birds first- consider the impact you as an individual and the group are having on birds and their environment;
 

For more information, please refer to the complete BirdLife Australia Ethical Birding Guidelines;