Information for Birders

At the turn of the last century, significant bird-protection efforts arose to end the disturbing slaughter of birds. This was effectively the country's first organized movement by individuals we generally know as "birders" today. The initial crisis in 20th century bird conservation was addressed by the Lacey Act of 1900, the creation of Pelican Island in 1903 as the first Federal refuge in the country, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. These events effectively outlawed forever the indiscriminate killing of birds in this country, along with the use of their feathers for interstate trade.

Birders at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Bosque del Apache is just one of hundreds of refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System to benefit from Federal Duck Stamp dollars.

John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS Photo

Following the creation of the Federal Duck Stamp in 1934, there was an exponential growth in the Refuge System over the next decade. In response to the application of scientific and increasingly modern wildlife management techniques, waterfowl populations began to rebound. The Federal Duck Stamp became central to bird conservation during this vital period.

Over the seven decades since its creation, the Federal Duck Stamp has garnered more than $670 million for the acquisition of more than 5.2 million acres of wetland habitat for the Refuge System. In addition to waterfowl, numerous fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species dependent on wetland habitats have benefited. Furthermore, an estimated one-third of Endangered and Threatened species in the U.S. find food or shelter on Refuges established through the use of Federal Duck Stamp dollars.

Among the birds directly benefiting from stamp revenues are waterbirds (e.g., Western Grebe, Least Bittern, Yellow Rail, and Black Tern ), shorebirds (e.g., Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Whimbrel, Red Knot, and Wilson's Phalarope), raptors (e.g., Swallow-tailed Kite, Swainson's Hawk, and Golden Eagle), and wetland-associated songbirds (e.g., Vermilion Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Prothonotary Warbler, LeConte's Sparrow, and Tricolored Blackbird).

Many of the country's most popular birding destinations are National Wildlife Refuges established or aided by Federal Duck Stamp dollars. Examples of such refuges include Aransas and Santa Ana in Texas, John Heinz in Pennsylvania, Sonny Bono Salton Sea in California, Ding Darling in Florida, Parker River in Massachusetts, Bombay Hook in Delaware, Bosque del Apache in New Mexico, Lostwood in North Dakota, and Great Dismal Swamp in North Carolina and Virginia. To find a popular birding refuge near you, visit our “Conservation” page and see how Federal Duck Stamp dollars have benefited your state.

Refuge visitation is now approaching 40 million people per year, and according to recent USFWS figures, more than 80 percent of these visitors engage in wildlife watching, specifically birds. Just as importantly, these visitors are part of the millions of Americans increasingly interested in wild birds and birding.

Birders at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge in California.

John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS Photo

Today, birders throughout the United States may gain free admission to every National Wildlife Refuge in the country by purchasing a $15 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (commonly known as a Federal Duck Stamp). Each Stamp is valid for the life of the stamp, which is July 1st through June 30th of the following year.

Possession and use of the Federal Duck Stamp is part of a broad and integrated movement to conserve birds in the 21st-century.

For additional information on birding opportunities near you, please visit http://recreation.gov