American Birding Association
@aba.org
American Birding Association (ABA) provides a community, forum, and resources for every birder, bird watcher, and bird enthusiast. Tag this account for lifer posts and we will help celebrate!
The ABA Olympia: Shorebirds and Seabirds of the Pacific Northwest tour offers birders an immersive week of identifying dynamic shorebird and pelagic seabird species along Washington’s coast and offshore waters.
January 8, 2026 at 5:50 PM
The ABA Olympia: Shorebirds and Seabirds of the Pacific Northwest tour offers birders an immersive week of identifying dynamic shorebird and pelagic seabird species along Washington’s coast and offshore waters.
The presence of Common Loons indicates ecosystem health because their bodies accumulate mercury and other contaminants as they move up the food chain. Loon monitoring can double as ecosystem health monitoring. The ABA salutes all the birders who monitor and protect Common Loons.
December 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The presence of Common Loons indicates ecosystem health because their bodies accumulate mercury and other contaminants as they move up the food chain. Loon monitoring can double as ecosystem health monitoring. The ABA salutes all the birders who monitor and protect Common Loons.
Common Loons can’t walk well on land because their legs are positioned very far back on their bodies. This rear-leg placement makes them powerful underwater swimmers but extremely awkward on land, essentially unable to stand or walk more than a short shuffle.
December 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Common Loons can’t walk well on land because their legs are positioned very far back on their bodies. This rear-leg placement makes them powerful underwater swimmers but extremely awkward on land, essentially unable to stand or walk more than a short shuffle.
Continuing with our Common Loon sendoff for the ABA 2025 Bird of the Year:
Common Loon chicks can swim on their own within hours of hatching, but they often ride on their parents' back for the first few days to weeks of their lives because that helps keep them warm and protects them from predators.
Common Loon chicks can swim on their own within hours of hatching, but they often ride on their parents' back for the first few days to weeks of their lives because that helps keep them warm and protects them from predators.
December 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Continuing with our Common Loon sendoff for the ABA 2025 Bird of the Year:
Common Loon chicks can swim on their own within hours of hatching, but they often ride on their parents' back for the first few days to weeks of their lives because that helps keep them warm and protects them from predators.
Common Loon chicks can swim on their own within hours of hatching, but they often ride on their parents' back for the first few days to weeks of their lives because that helps keep them warm and protects them from predators.
We're sending off the Common Loon, the 2025 ABA Bird of the Year, with some loon facts!
Most Common Loons winter along major coastlines. Although loons are fiercely territorial during the breeding season, in winter they often gather in loose coastal groups, especially where fish are abundant.
Most Common Loons winter along major coastlines. Although loons are fiercely territorial during the breeding season, in winter they often gather in loose coastal groups, especially where fish are abundant.
December 30, 2025 at 8:12 PM
We're sending off the Common Loon, the 2025 ABA Bird of the Year, with some loon facts!
Most Common Loons winter along major coastlines. Although loons are fiercely territorial during the breeding season, in winter they often gather in loose coastal groups, especially where fish are abundant.
Most Common Loons winter along major coastlines. Although loons are fiercely territorial during the breeding season, in winter they often gather in loose coastal groups, especially where fish are abundant.
Deep in the forests of Northeast Brazil, a distinctive song can reveal the location of an elusive ground-dweller: the White-browed Antpitta. Expert local guides can help you connect with this sought-after skulker.
June 26-July 7, 2026.
Learn more and sign up! www.aba.org/northeast-br...
June 26-July 7, 2026.
Learn more and sign up! www.aba.org/northeast-br...
December 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Deep in the forests of Northeast Brazil, a distinctive song can reveal the location of an elusive ground-dweller: the White-browed Antpitta. Expert local guides can help you connect with this sought-after skulker.
June 26-July 7, 2026.
Learn more and sign up! www.aba.org/northeast-br...
June 26-July 7, 2026.
Learn more and sign up! www.aba.org/northeast-br...
As the 2026 Bird of the Year reveal approaches, let's not forget to celebrate the 2025 Bird of the Year, the Common Loon!
Did you encounter a Common Loon this year?
Did you encounter a Common Loon this year?
December 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
As the 2026 Bird of the Year reveal approaches, let's not forget to celebrate the 2025 Bird of the Year, the Common Loon!
Did you encounter a Common Loon this year?
Did you encounter a Common Loon this year?
Clear your calendar, because it’s almost time for the most hotly anticipated, passionately debated, and mildly obsession-inducing reveal in birding: the ABA Bird of the Year. Friendships have been tested. Group chats have exploded. Wild theories have taken flight. And soon, the wait will be over.
December 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Clear your calendar, because it’s almost time for the most hotly anticipated, passionately debated, and mildly obsession-inducing reveal in birding: the ABA Bird of the Year. Friendships have been tested. Group chats have exploded. Wild theories have taken flight. And soon, the wait will be over.
Don't miss the Bird of the Year issue of Birding magazine, soon to go to press and featuring @thebirdguy.bsky.social! #SupportBirdJournalism
ABA.org/join
ABA.org/join
December 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Don't miss the Bird of the Year issue of Birding magazine, soon to go to press and featuring @thebirdguy.bsky.social! #SupportBirdJournalism
ABA.org/join
ABA.org/join
Don't miss out on @onlyveesaz.bsky.social next column in Birding magazine! #SupportBirdJournalism
ABA.org/join
ABA.org/join
December 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Don't miss out on @onlyveesaz.bsky.social next column in Birding magazine! #SupportBirdJournalism
ABA.org/join
ABA.org/join
Planning on participating in any Christmas Bird Counts? Where and how many?
December 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Planning on participating in any Christmas Bird Counts? Where and how many?
Find up to six hornbill species on the ABA's Namibia Birding Tour, include the Bradfield's Hornbill! This species has a patchy distribution, making it one of the region's standout sightings among a spectacular array of southern African endemics.
Learn more and register: www.aba.org/namibia-bird...
Learn more and register: www.aba.org/namibia-bird...
December 10, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Find up to six hornbill species on the ABA's Namibia Birding Tour, include the Bradfield's Hornbill! This species has a patchy distribution, making it one of the region's standout sightings among a spectacular array of southern African endemics.
Learn more and register: www.aba.org/namibia-bird...
Learn more and register: www.aba.org/namibia-bird...
Especially when it's something really good.
December 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Especially when it's something really good.
Few birds shine like the Prothonotary Warbler, a golden flash in the spring woods. Find this species during peak migration on the ABA’s Chicago Spring Warblers Tour!
May 18–22, 2026. Learn more and register: www.aba.org/chicago-spri...
May 18–22, 2026. Learn more and register: www.aba.org/chicago-spri...
December 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Few birds shine like the Prothonotary Warbler, a golden flash in the spring woods. Find this species during peak migration on the ABA’s Chicago Spring Warblers Tour!
May 18–22, 2026. Learn more and register: www.aba.org/chicago-spri...
May 18–22, 2026. Learn more and register: www.aba.org/chicago-spri...
The Red-necked Tanager is one of Brazil’s most dazzling birds: an explosion of green, blue, and red.
Join the ABA’s Northeast Brazil Birding Tour to see this stunner right in its Atlantic Forest home, along with dozens of iconic regional specialties.
Save your spot: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
Join the ABA’s Northeast Brazil Birding Tour to see this stunner right in its Atlantic Forest home, along with dozens of iconic regional specialties.
Save your spot: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
December 4, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The Red-necked Tanager is one of Brazil’s most dazzling birds: an explosion of green, blue, and red.
Join the ABA’s Northeast Brazil Birding Tour to see this stunner right in its Atlantic Forest home, along with dozens of iconic regional specialties.
Save your spot: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
Join the ABA’s Northeast Brazil Birding Tour to see this stunner right in its Atlantic Forest home, along with dozens of iconic regional specialties.
Save your spot: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
Bird of the Year puzzles for sale!
Need a last-minute gift? Order by Dec. 10 to receive yours by Christmas.
Order here: www.aba.org/store/common...
Need a last-minute gift? Order by Dec. 10 to receive yours by Christmas.
Order here: www.aba.org/store/common...
December 4, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Bird of the Year puzzles for sale!
Need a last-minute gift? Order by Dec. 10 to receive yours by Christmas.
Order here: www.aba.org/store/common...
Need a last-minute gift? Order by Dec. 10 to receive yours by Christmas.
Order here: www.aba.org/store/common...
Few birds glow like the Jandaya Parakeet: sunset colors, nonstop energy, and iconic to northeast Brazil.
Join the ABA's Northeast Brazil Tour to experience this species up close, among other specialties from this premier birding destination.
Learn more and sign up: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
Join the ABA's Northeast Brazil Tour to experience this species up close, among other specialties from this premier birding destination.
Learn more and sign up: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
December 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Few birds glow like the Jandaya Parakeet: sunset colors, nonstop energy, and iconic to northeast Brazil.
Join the ABA's Northeast Brazil Tour to experience this species up close, among other specialties from this premier birding destination.
Learn more and sign up: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
Join the ABA's Northeast Brazil Tour to experience this species up close, among other specialties from this premier birding destination.
Learn more and sign up: www.aba.org/northeast-br...
It’s Giving Tuesday!
The ABA is celebrating 10,000 reasons to bird by raising $10,000 to support the ABA’s. This support powers everything from the American Birding Podcast to the Young Birder Program to Community Weekends.
Help us reach our goal today! Give here: aba.app.neoncrm.com/forms/69
The ABA is celebrating 10,000 reasons to bird by raising $10,000 to support the ABA’s. This support powers everything from the American Birding Podcast to the Young Birder Program to Community Weekends.
Help us reach our goal today! Give here: aba.app.neoncrm.com/forms/69
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
It’s Giving Tuesday!
The ABA is celebrating 10,000 reasons to bird by raising $10,000 to support the ABA’s. This support powers everything from the American Birding Podcast to the Young Birder Program to Community Weekends.
Help us reach our goal today! Give here: aba.app.neoncrm.com/forms/69
The ABA is celebrating 10,000 reasons to bird by raising $10,000 to support the ABA’s. This support powers everything from the American Birding Podcast to the Young Birder Program to Community Weekends.
Help us reach our goal today! Give here: aba.app.neoncrm.com/forms/69
Weekend Promo!
Use code BIRDFIVE for 5% off your order all weekend long through Mon., Dec. 1.
ABA members can stack their usual 10% with the code for a total of 15% off. Just make sure you’re logged in at checkout.
Not a member yet? Join now and get those extra savings! ABA.org/join
Use code BIRDFIVE for 5% off your order all weekend long through Mon., Dec. 1.
ABA members can stack their usual 10% with the code for a total of 15% off. Just make sure you’re logged in at checkout.
Not a member yet? Join now and get those extra savings! ABA.org/join
November 28, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Weekend Promo!
Use code BIRDFIVE for 5% off your order all weekend long through Mon., Dec. 1.
ABA members can stack their usual 10% with the code for a total of 15% off. Just make sure you’re logged in at checkout.
Not a member yet? Join now and get those extra savings! ABA.org/join
Use code BIRDFIVE for 5% off your order all weekend long through Mon., Dec. 1.
ABA members can stack their usual 10% with the code for a total of 15% off. Just make sure you’re logged in at checkout.
Not a member yet? Join now and get those extra savings! ABA.org/join
Did you know Puerto Rico has two endemic hummingbirds?
One is the Green Mango, one of 19 Puerto Rican endemics you can find on the ABA's Puerto Rico Endemics Tour this March. Come seek out this island-exclusive jewel with the ABA!
Learn more and reserve your spot: www.aba.org/puerto-rico-...
One is the Green Mango, one of 19 Puerto Rican endemics you can find on the ABA's Puerto Rico Endemics Tour this March. Come seek out this island-exclusive jewel with the ABA!
Learn more and reserve your spot: www.aba.org/puerto-rico-...
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Did you know Puerto Rico has two endemic hummingbirds?
One is the Green Mango, one of 19 Puerto Rican endemics you can find on the ABA's Puerto Rico Endemics Tour this March. Come seek out this island-exclusive jewel with the ABA!
Learn more and reserve your spot: www.aba.org/puerto-rico-...
One is the Green Mango, one of 19 Puerto Rican endemics you can find on the ABA's Puerto Rico Endemics Tour this March. Come seek out this island-exclusive jewel with the ABA!
Learn more and reserve your spot: www.aba.org/puerto-rico-...
Continue with the bird W posting.
November 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Continue with the bird W posting.
Non-finches are on the move too!
Keep your eyes and ear peeled for Bohemian Waxwings as they follow fruit crops south. Flocks can be large, with several dozen birds or even hundreds moving together, often appearing overnight.
Keep your eyes and ear peeled for Bohemian Waxwings as they follow fruit crops south. Flocks can be large, with several dozen birds or even hundreds moving together, often appearing overnight.
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Non-finches are on the move too!
Keep your eyes and ear peeled for Bohemian Waxwings as they follow fruit crops south. Flocks can be large, with several dozen birds or even hundreds moving together, often appearing overnight.
Keep your eyes and ear peeled for Bohemian Waxwings as they follow fruit crops south. Flocks can be large, with several dozen birds or even hundreds moving together, often appearing overnight.
Another finch to be on the lookout for this season is the Pine Grosbeak, which has so far made something of a southward push thanks to poor mountain-ash berry crops in parts of the boreal forest.
Tips for finding:
- Check fruiting trees: mountain-ash, crabapple, and ornamental cherries.
Tips for finding:
- Check fruiting trees: mountain-ash, crabapple, and ornamental cherries.
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Another finch to be on the lookout for this season is the Pine Grosbeak, which has so far made something of a southward push thanks to poor mountain-ash berry crops in parts of the boreal forest.
Tips for finding:
- Check fruiting trees: mountain-ash, crabapple, and ornamental cherries.
Tips for finding:
- Check fruiting trees: mountain-ash, crabapple, and ornamental cherries.
The ABA's San Francisco Community Weekend starts tomorrow!
With clear, sunny weather in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to get outside, explore local hotspots, learn about birds, and connect with fellow birders in San Francisco, Nov. 22–23.
Register here: www.aba.org/san-francisc...
With clear, sunny weather in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to get outside, explore local hotspots, learn about birds, and connect with fellow birders in San Francisco, Nov. 22–23.
Register here: www.aba.org/san-francisc...
November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The ABA's San Francisco Community Weekend starts tomorrow!
With clear, sunny weather in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to get outside, explore local hotspots, learn about birds, and connect with fellow birders in San Francisco, Nov. 22–23.
Register here: www.aba.org/san-francisc...
With clear, sunny weather in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to get outside, explore local hotspots, learn about birds, and connect with fellow birders in San Francisco, Nov. 22–23.
Register here: www.aba.org/san-francisc...
New in the ABA Store!
We now have ABA hats and CamelBak water bottles available, perfect for your next birding outing. Members can sign in to receive an automatic 10% discount.
Be like Dexter the poodle and get your ABA hat today!
www.aba.org/product-cate...
We now have ABA hats and CamelBak water bottles available, perfect for your next birding outing. Members can sign in to receive an automatic 10% discount.
Be like Dexter the poodle and get your ABA hat today!
www.aba.org/product-cate...
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
New in the ABA Store!
We now have ABA hats and CamelBak water bottles available, perfect for your next birding outing. Members can sign in to receive an automatic 10% discount.
Be like Dexter the poodle and get your ABA hat today!
www.aba.org/product-cate...
We now have ABA hats and CamelBak water bottles available, perfect for your next birding outing. Members can sign in to receive an automatic 10% discount.
Be like Dexter the poodle and get your ABA hat today!
www.aba.org/product-cate...