While I would love to say Birdfreak.com or this blog is one of the top 5 birding websites that is not the case. Yet. However, here are my top 5.
#5 eBird.org – one of the greatest because of the huge potential for data across the country and world. Easy to use and a fun way to keep track of sightings all over without having to create some elaborate database. Great for sharing data too.
#4 – National Audubon Society – The curator of the Christmas Bird Count (getting closer!) and a great organization. There are tons of sanctuaries all over the U.S. and the organization has a good gameplan.
#3 – Cornell Lab of Ornithology – a close tie with #2, Cornell has been initiating cool ideas and advancements of technological birding for quite some time. Their website offers loads of detailed info, most of which is free.
#2 – American Birding Association – One of the original clubs that focused on the fun and excitement of birding dedicated to birders. This is probably the one organization that every birder should be a part of.
#1 – The Nature Conservancy – easily my favorite organization for the simple fact that they are all business. Their focus isn’t totally on birds but their business plan is excellent. They buy and preserve land by creating long-term relationships with all kinds of people, organizations, and even the government. Business for birds is all good for Birdfreaks!
Excellent choices! I was particularly glad to see the ABA listed–obviously I have a professional stake in the organization, but I was an enthusiastic member for nearly 20 years before I joined the staff, and still find it one of my best birding ‘supports’ ever.
Best wishes,
Rick
Thanks Rick. It was hard to pick just 5 and soon after posting I remembered the American Bird Conservancy. And of course there are many many others.
Nature Conservancy is a great organization, but they do not really run a birding website. The website does not primarily, or even substantially, carry information about birds or bird conservation activities. I would knock that off and add BirdLife International instead.
Aside from that carping, I’m glad to see that your site is off to a good start. I’m looking forward to seeing more from the BirdFreaks.
John, thanks for the comment. I came up with my top 5 rather hastely based on the sites I visit the most. I really like the Nature Conservancy because a lot of what I’m about is promoting bird conservation. The Nature Conservancy does conserve land for birds but usually in a round about way or for one particular rare species.
I agree that the website does not have a lot of info about birds specifically and that is something I wish they would improve. One thing I especially like is that you can find some information on natural places in other countries that is otherwise hard to come by.