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By joining the biggest community of bird lovers in Australia, you can help us make a positive impact on the future of our native birdlife. The members of BirdLife Australia, along with our supporters and partners, have been powerful advocates for native birds and the conservation of their habitats since 1901.

We are also the meeting ground for everyone with an interest in birds from the curious backyard observer to the dedicated research scientist. It doesn’t matter what your interest in birds is or how much you know about them, your membership will offer you the opportunity to increase your awareness and enjoyment.

Birdlife Australia would be delighted to welcome you as a new member and we look forward to sharing our news and achievements with you throughout the coming year.

Bird Search

Although birds are usually quite easy to see, often they are more difficult to identify. You may have had the briefest glimpse or heard a snatch of its song, or perhaps it was a bird you have never seen before. The best place to look for it is here.

You will discover the remarkable variety of birds that occur across Australia. With stunning images of featured species and some recordings of their songs and calls, you are sure to find that mystery bird, or learn more about species you already know.

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Birds are in out nature

Our Organisation

BirdLife Australia is dedicated to creating a bright future for Australia’s birds.

Branches and locations

You can participate and share in activities and projects with local experts all over Australia.

Discovery Centre

Visit us in Sydney Olympic Park where you can learn about, see and engage with Australian birds up close and personal.

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Reserves

Visit BirdLife Australia’s stunning conservation reserves and sanctuaries overflowing with native birdlife and other incredible flora and fauna.

Observatories

Our Bird Observatories in Western Australia may be a little off the track, but that’s what makes them such magical places to see birds.

Australia's Birds

Want to know all about our native birds? Explore, learn, discover and enjoy Australia’s most comprehensive bird resource.

Birds in Backyards

Discover and identify the urban birds in your backyard. Get involved by helping us gather and share information about your local birdlife.

Birdwatching

Find places to watch birds in their native habitat. Search our listing to find the next opportunity to see your favourite birds nearby and interstate.

What's On

We hold regular events and activities throughout the year and some have been taking place for decades. There are many ways for keen bird lovers to get involved.

Community

Join our community of dedicated volunteers that help monitor and collect important data on Australia’s birds. We always need more citizen scientists.

Support Us

There are many ways you can help us help our native birds. Join as a member, volunteer, make a donation or a bequest. Your support makes a real difference.

Projects

From urgent conservation activities to ongoing data recording, explore our vital projects that make a real difference to Australia’s birds.

Advocacy

Our policies, submissions and campaigns make us the leading voice for Australia’s birds by influencing decision makers and stakeholders.

Science

Research, monitoring and evaluation underpin all our efforts. We have a long history of expertise in the science of bird conservation.

Education

Our education programs share knowledge and experience in a friendly hands-on environment with staff and volunteers that know and love Australia's birds and their habitats.

Publications

BirdLife Australia has a long and proud history of excellence in publishing. Our members' magazine, journals, newsletters, and reports are all world-class.

H.L. White Library

The H.L. White Library is the most comprehensive ornithological library in Australia, containing thousands of books, journals, and media about birds and related topics.

Join or renew your membership and enjoy the rewards of making a real difference to our birds.

Join or Renew

We always need volunteers. Contributing your time is one of the most effective ways to help.

Volunteer

Your support helps us take actions that create positive outcomes for birds and their habitats.

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Home >
Projects >
Atlas & Birdata

Atlas & Birdata

A Long-term Monitoring Project

The Atlas is one of BirdLife Australia's greatest resources, allowing us to track changes in birds across the country. Since 1998 a dedicated band of over 7000 atlassers have amassed over 420,000 surveys, comprising over 7.1 million bird records.

Unlike most Atlases conducted around the world which collect data in grids, observers are asked to give the precise coordinates of where they undertook their survey. Knowing this information adds greatly to the value of the data and allows observers to go back to that precise location and conduct repeat surveys. With large numbers of observers collecting data, the Atlas provides a good insight into the changes in bird populations over time.

Atlassers have many opportunities to contribute, be it through repeat surveys or as part of general atlassing. The continued growth of the Atlas project depends upon the enthusiasm of existing Atlassers and the recruitment of new observers.

Anyone with an interest in birds can make an important contribution to our knowledge of Australian birds by getting involved in the project.

Birdata

To support our atlassers and the Atlas database, BirdLife Australia developed Birdata birdata.com.au. This is a website devoted to the Atlas where atlassers can enter new data and gain feedback about their surveys and sites.

Birdata isn't just about data entry. At its core is sophisticated software that maps the distribution of every Australian bird. General bird lists for any part of the country are also available.

Atlassers should note that paper Atlas forms will continue to be used. Birdata provides an easy electronic data entry point for those that wish to use it, helps us preserve our resources, and allows information to be more readily available.

Need help entering your Atlas data into the Birdata website? Download Birdata 101 below.

Aims of the Atlas Project

Collect and analyse data on the distribution and relative abundance of Australia's bird species
Compare the distribution and abundance of bird species to the previous Atlas
Collect information on rare and threatened bird species
Involve the community in the conservation and monitoring of birds
Establish a foundation set of sites to explore relationships between birds and land management practice
To see how birds respond to changes in habitat
Investigate the effect of tree planting and revegetation programs on birds
Establish a foundation set of sites to monitor birds, including Ramsar sites and selected sites in a Directory of Important Wetlands
Examine regional and seasonal variation in the occurrence of bird species