A GRASSROOTS BIRDING MOVEMENT
Pledge to Fledge
See birds. Share birds. Save birds.
One simple idea: if every birder introduced just one new person to birds, the number of people who notice and protect them would double.
Pledge to Fledge is built on a small, hopeful kind of math. Most people have simply never had someone hand them a pair of binoculars and point out the bird that was there all along. Do that once, with patience and warmth, and you can turn a passing glance into a lifelong interest.
To fledge a birder is to take a friend, neighbor, or child outside and show them their first birds, in a way that is easy, unhurried, and genuinely fun. The pledge is a personal commitment to do exactly that, and to be friendly, patient, and welcoming whenever someone shows the smallest spark of curiosity about birds.
THE PLEDGE
Share your enthusiasm for birds
The original pledge asked birders of every level to do one thing, whenever the chance arises:
“I will actively share my love of birds with others, take them out to see birds for themselves, and be patient, helpful, and welcoming along the way.”
WHERE IT CAME FROM
A movement with real roots
Pledge to Fledge is not ours, and we want to credit it properly. It began as a genuine grassroots campaign, and it traveled the world.
The campaign is founded
Pledge to Fledge launches as a project of the original Global Birding Initiative, a grassroots effort created by New Jersey birder Dave Magpiong, founder of the Fledgling Birder Institute, together with field guide author Richard Crossley and others. Its goal: grow the number of birders in the world.
The first Pledge to Fledge weekend
Birders across the globe take a friend, neighbor, or child out to find their first birds. The effort soon partners with the American Birding Association.
Cornell joins in
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology folds Pledge to Fledge into its Great Backyard Bird Count, encouraging seasoned counters to bring a brand new birder along.
The spirit lives on
The original campaign has long gone quiet, but the idea behind it is as good as ever. Global Birding Initiative is a separate birding resource, and we would love to help this one fly again.
HOW TO FLEDGE A BIRDER
It is easier than you think
You do not need to be an expert. If you are reading this, you already know more than the friend you are about to delight.
Share a sighting
Mention an interesting bird to a friend or neighbor. If they ask a question, that is your opening to invite them along.
Pick an easy spot
Choose a place with big, visible birds that are used to people: a local pond with ducks and herons, or a row of busy feeders in winter.
Lend good binoculars
Nothing kills first-time enthusiasm like a blurry view. Hand them a decent pair and show them how to focus and set the eye spacing.
Bring a guide or app
Look the bird up together in a field guide, or use a free app like Merlin or eBird, so they learn how to find answers on their own.
Keep it light
Resist the urge to overload them with biology. Let the birds do the work. If the questions start flowing, then share everything you know.
Invite them back
If they enjoyed it, encourage them to keep a list of what they see. A growing list is what quietly turns a curious friend into a birder.