Protecting Australian birds for over 120 years

BirdLife Australia was founded in 2012, but our history goes back much further than that.

Our predecessor organisations, the Royal Australasian Ornithologist’s Union (established in 1901; later Birds Australia) and the Bird Observers’ Club (established in 1905; later Bird Observation and Conservation Australia) and achieved incredible things, including:

• Successfully advocating for the plume trade to be abolished in the early 20th century
• Advocating for the protection of Short-tailed Shearwaters (muttonbirds) at a time when their colonies were regularly plundered for their chicks
• Working with many thousands of citizen scientists to expand our knowledge about birds
• Conducting and publishing peer-reviewed science that has saved birds for generations
• Founding a partnership with the Land For Wildlife program

Taking bird conservation into the 21st century

In 2012, Birds Australia and BOCA merged to create BirdLife Australia. Our mantra is: ‘Save birds. Save life.’

Australia’s native birds are under threat, and as one large, unified institution, BirdLife Australia continues its crucial role in driving the recovery of declining species and restoring their habitats.

Find out about our bird conservation programs and our impact.

Building a future for Australia’s birds

Achieving positive outcomes for bird conservation in Australia has never been easy, and in today’s political climate, the environment always seems to take a back seat in the halls of power. Nevertheless, BirdLife Australia continues to uphold our proud tradition of being there to secure a bright future for Australia’s birds.

When our predecessor organisations were formed in the early 20th century, there was an information crisis surrounding Australia’s birds – there was so much about them that we simply didn’t know. Now, after more than 120 years, we know so much more about our birds, their ecology and what they need to survive. In the 21st century, we’re seeing a different sort of crisis – an extinction crisis, and so our emphasis has shifted from studying birds to saving them. While there’s still more to learn, we must act swiftly and with the backing of science, to reverse the declines in Australians birds and restore their habitats.

We can’t wait to create more history with you.