January 1, 2025
Granting Pardon for Mis-Identification of Birds, 2025
Now, therefore, be it known that I, María-Elena Montero, President of the DC Bird Alliance, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me as a bird-friendly leader, do hereby proclaim and declare unconditionally and without reservation, a full, free, and absolute pardon to all and to every person who, directly or indirectly, participated in the misidentification of birds, with restoration of all rights to bird in all eight wards in the District of Columbia thereof.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of January, in the year of our bird, twenty and twenty-five.
submit your bird photos for the 2025-2026 spring migration calendar!
Read the submission requirements and send us your photos here!
A white-throated sparrow at Malcolm X Park © Nicole Kit/DCAS
Washington, DC is a great place to find birds. The nation’s capital is located at the juncture of the piedmont and the coastal plain and at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers; we also boast a number of fine parks.
Notable among them are Rock Creek Park and Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens where you’ll find migratory species in spring and fall. You can hear our official bird, the Wood Thrush, singing from spring throughout the summer. You can see hawks, eagles, hummingbirds, and more right from downtown.
Join our DC community!
Support DC Bird Alliance by becoming a member, donating, or through volunteer opportunities.
Field Trips
Whether you’re someone who appreciates the sounds of birds, a backyard feeder, or an experienced birder, we warmly welcome people of all skill levels. All trips are free, open to the public, and we have a limited number of extra binoculars available for use.
Did you find an injured or baby bird?
If you find an injured or baby bird in DC, please contact Humane Rescue Alliance or City Wildlife.
Do you have other general questions about birds? Check out Tucson Audubon’s FAQs or send us an email.
Baby Blue Jay (Wikimedia Commons)
Sick birds in DC? Here are the latest news:
Audubon partners with local conservation agencies to identify the disease and stop the spread. (Audubon MD-DC. July 15, 2021).
Authorities are urging the public to take down bird feeders and baths in hopes of curbing the spread of what could be a wildlife disease. (Smithsonian Magazine. June 6, 2021).
Bird deaths in DC area are down, but scientists call for continued caution. (wtop news. July 8, 2021)
EXPLAINER: What’s Making Mid-Atlantic Songbirds Sick? (U.S. News. July 21, 2021)