About BirdWeb

In late 2002, Seattle Audubon launched BirdWeb, an easy-to-use on-line resource designed to help residents and visitors alike learn more about the birds of Washington. BirdWeb offers extensive profiles of the 350-plus species of birds that occur regularly in Washington, along with shorter notes on more than 100 species of rarities. For each bird species, users will find color photographs, range maps, and information about the bird's habitat, behavior, diet, nesting, distribution, and conservation status.

BirdWeb was immediately successful and attracted widespread praise. "I applaud Seattle Audubon's innovative leadership in developing BirdWeb," said Kenn Kaufman, author of Lives of North American Birds, The Peterson Guide to Advanced Birding, and Birds of North America. "This is a terrific resource: accurate, comprehensive, compiled by experts, and based on the very latest information. It should accomplish great things in getting the public more involved with birds and with their conservation."

In 2004, Seattle Audubon moved ahead with a second phase of BirdWeb, revamping the design and content of the original web site and adding reference sections on Washington's ten ecoregions and their birdlife; descriptions of and directions to numerous representative birding locations for each ecoregion; more and better photographs; and sound recordings of bird vocalizations. The greatly expanded BirdWeb was launched in late 2005. Additions and updates will be made on an ongoing basis.

BirdWeb aims to connect bird watchers with the information they need to enjoy, understand, and protect Washington's birds and the habitats they depend on for survival. "One-third of Washington's birds (123 species) are listed as species of special concern, and Seattle Audubon is working to protect them," said Emily Sprong, the first BirdWeb project lead. "We believe BirdWeb is an important tool for fostering an appreciation of our state's birds that will ultimately lead to increased citizen involvement in bird conservation and environmental education."

Thank you for visiting BirdWeb. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and will be given full consideration. Please address them to birdweb@seattleaudubon.org.