- Iowa Birders should act in ways that do not endanger the welfare of birds and other wildlife and should minimize their effect on the environment. To this end we should:
- Observe and photograph birds without disturbing them in significant ways.
- Not repeatedly chase or flush individual birds.
- Use recordings and similar devices sparingly, especially in heavily birded areas or known locations of individual birds.
- Stay away from nests and roosts.
- Stay on existing paths, trails, roadways, etc in fragile environments.
- Leave the habitat in as good a condition as we found it or better.
- Iowa Birders should respect the rights of others. We should:
- Obtain permission to enter private property, whether posted or not.
- Follow posted rules on public and private properties.
- Observe all laws, rules, and regulations of public or private birding areas and report violations to appropriate authorities.
- Leave gates and fences as found.
- Limit requests for permission or information to reasonable times of the day.
- Allow those who come after to have the same opportunity to observe birds.
- Behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union to others.
- Iowa Birders in groups have special responsibilities.
- Group members should:
- Act in consideration of the group's interest as well as their own.
- Support the leader of the group.
- Leaders should:
- Assume responsibility for the conduct of the group.
- Limit group sizes so as not to threaten the environment.
- Teach others birding ethics by word and example.
- Iowa Birders recognize the importance of research projects to further our knowledge about birds. We should:
- Encourage workers in the field to conduct their research in such a manner as to limit disturbances to birds or the environment.
- Encourage our members to participate in research projects.
- Not knowingly interfere with research projects.
Adopted by Iowa Ornithologists' Union membership, 21 May 1994