Why Join BirdLife South Africa?

You can help us Give Conservation Wings

BirdLife South Africa is the country partner of BirdLife International, a partnership of conservation organisations around the world that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. BirdLife International works with people to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. BirdLife International is represented in over 100 countries and has over 10 million global supporters.

BirdLife South Africa has staff stationed around the country, working on projects ranging from environmental education to the protection of Important Bird Areas, avitourism and the conservation of threatened birds. BirdLife South Africa has a long history, having been established in 1930 as the South African Ornithological Society and it has been at the forefront of bird conservation ever since.

As a BirdLife South Africa member you get the opportunity to join our efforts, see real results and share our successes. By helping conserve birds and their habitats, you're helping to secure the future of South Africa's rich diversity of birds, thus ensuring that our country's natural environment is protected for future generations.

BirdLife South Africa's members not only get a host of benefits and the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing to conserve our country's birds and our natural heritage, but also an opportunity to be part of one of the world's fastest growing communities - bird-watchers.

Join a bird club in your area

Subscription to BirdLife South Africa does not give automatic affiliation to a bird club.  There are many benefits to be gained from joining a bird club and BirdLife South Africa encourages you to join a bird club in your area.  This affords you the opportunity to participate in regular local birding activities including outings, talks, local conservation projects, and other activities.  Click here to find out more about a bird club in your area.

What's in it for me if I start birding?

• Satisfaction. Birding invokes our primeval hunting instincts. It delivers all the satisfaction of the hunt, even though the prey itself escapes unharmed. Birding is the perfect sport for the coming century. For many "twichers" birding can be extremely competitive.
• Health. Birding gets you vertical. It gets you outside and walking. But it's effortless, because your attention is on the birds. Nevertheless, after a little birding, you've usually covered quite a bit of ground - and it's far cheaper than gym membership.
• Family. Birding unites people across generations. By taking up birding, parents or grandparents can introduce their children to an interest in nature that will stay with them all their lives. The number of young birders is growing at a phenomenal rate.
• Companionship. Birding is the ideal social activity. A birder need never be lonely. Nearly every community has a bird club of some sort. And because birders love to share their knowledge, newcomers are always welcome.
• Solitude. Birding is also the ideal solitary sport. There's a special pleasure in going out alone to watch birds. Your mind settles down. Your senses open up, and all nature seems to become your friend. Birding is a sport of many moods, and it serves the causes of companionship and solitude equally well.

Membership categories

Standard membership (adults between the ages of 18 and 60): R345.00 per annum

• Six issues of the award winning Africa Birds & Birding magazine which includes the BirdLife South Africa Bulletin
• BirdLife South Africa membership card
• BirdLife South Africa supporters' sticker
• Invitations to BirdLife South Africa talks and events
• Monthly e-news, which includes updates on our work and interesting information about birds and birding
• Two free bird call ringtones for your cell phone

Youth, students or senior citizens: R235.00 per annum

This is a reduced rate for registered students at any university or technikon in South Africa or individuals over 60 years of age or individuals under 18 years of age

• Six issues of the award winning Africa Birds & Birding magazine which includes the BirdLife South Africa Bulletin
• BirdLife South Africa membership card
• BirdLife South Africa supporters' sticker
• Invitations to BirdLife South Africa talks and events
• Monthly e-news, which includes updates on our work and interesting information about birds and birding
• Two free bird call ringtones for your cell phone

Conservation league membership. R2 200 per annum

A prestigious membership category where you not only get to know that you are making a difference to birds and their conservation, but you also get the following:

• Special acknowledgement from BirdLife South Africa as a "Conservation League" supporter.  You will receive a certificate from BirdLife South Africa, and your name will appear on the Conservation League page on our website and on a scroll in our Head Office)
• Six issues of the award winning Africa Birds & Birding magazine which includes the BirdLife South Africa Bulletin
• BirdLife South Africa membership card
• BirdLife South Africa supporters' sticker
• Invitations to BirdLife South Africa talks and events
• Monthly e-news, which includes updates on our work and interesting information about birds and birding
• Two free bird call ringtones for your cellphone

So, what are you waiting for? Join Now 

Important information on paying your membership fees.

Photo:  African Penguin, Patrick Cardwell, Avian Leisure