Massachusetts Important Bird Areas

American Oystercatcher. Photo by Blair Nikula.

What is an IBA?

An IBA (Important Bird Area) is a site providing essential habitat to one or more species of breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. The primary goals of the IBA program are:

• To identify, nominate, and designate key sites that contribute to the preservation of significant bird populations or communities.
• To provide information that will help land managers evaluate areas for habitat management and/or land acquisition.
• To activate public and private participation in bird conservation efforts.

• Coffee Drinkers Can Help Save Birds Did you know that you can help birds by simply drinking coffee? The right type of coffee, that is. Mass Audubon, a leader in bird conservation since 1896, has joined Massachusetts-based Birds & Beans®' efforts to provide consumers with shade grown Bird Friendly® coffee to help stop population loss of North American songbirds in their winter homes in Latin America.

  To provide public education and community outreach opportunities.

The Massachusetts Important Bird Area Program (IBA) is carried out cooperatively by staff from Mass Audubon, a volunteer Technical Committee and various partner organizations. We have an informational brochure (PDF - 400KB) about the IBA program that is available for distribution at birding meetings and events. If interested, please contact iba@massaudubon.org for more information.