Bird Magazines
If you are looking to take out a subscription to a birding magazine the best way is to go direct to their website and see what deals they offer there, as this can be considerably cheaper. Most of the magazines listed below are based in the USA or UK, but virtually all are available world-wide.
On-line magazines can be terrific or frustrating. Too many come and go after a worthy couple of issues… others seem stuck in a time warp with an edition in the ether, but no sign of any follow up. On the other hand, they can combine up-to-date information with video clips and terrific computer graphics as well, of course, as sound. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Although it’s not exactly a feature of online magazines, I find that I either flip through and delete or just can’t be bothered with it. It sits on my desktop for a while and then disappears into the deleted files. Whereas with a paper magazine in my hand, I tend to look at the features that interest me, put it to one side and pick it up again later and have another look at perhaps readers’ letters or a column I follow.
Personally, I still like my hard copy… I can’t take my computer to bed or on the train or use a marker pen to underline text etc. Although, I am sure less decrepit birders will do all those things courtesy of their mobile phone or tablet.
I subscribe to several magazines and see others from time to time, two are slightly different slants on birding from either side of the Atlantic and the third a more scientific journal which, when I can understand it, keeps me abreast of avian science.
Besides which I have written a column in Birdwatching Magazine for over twenty years as the ‘Grumpy Old Birder’. As such I’m bound to be an advocate of the printed word. I long ago gave up paper novels in favour of the kindle app. Most of my fieldguides are also in the form of apps. Nevertheless, I still prefer ‘proper’ printed magazines to on-line alternatives.
See the Ornithology Journals page for peer-reviewed journals with a more scientific bent.
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'E' - The Environmental Magazine
WebsiteThis is a paperless magazine produced and hosted on line and emailed to subscribers -
Ardeola
WebsiteArdeola is the official scientific journal of the Spanish Society of Ornithology (SEO/Birdlife), and it has been published since the Society's foundation in 1954. Ardeola has expanded his scope recently to provide a renewed forum for publication of studies on all aspects of ornithology, carried out both in Spain and elsewhere… -
Audubon Magazine
WebsiteMagazine of the Audubon Society… links to back issues and an on-line version of the magazine. -
BBC Countryfile Magazine
WebsiteI've been a fan of BBC Countryfile since it was in Black & White! And am still a faithful fan every Sunday evening at 7.00pm. The magazine is just as good! Fatbirder -
BBC Wildlife Magazine
WebpageYour guide to the natural world, showcasing the wonder and beauty of wildlife. -
BWD
WebsiteWe launched Bird Watcher's Digest in 1978 from our living room in Marietta, Ohio. Over the years we've learned a great deal about our fellow bird watchers and our goal of providing them with the world's greatest bird magazine has never changed. -
Bird Observer
WebsiteBird Observer is a New England-based bimonthly journal for birders. We are a nonprofit organization supported by subscribers, and staffed by volunteers. We publish original articles on birding locations, on avian populations and natural history, on regional rarities, book reviews and field notes, bird sightings, photographs, and artwork. -
Bird Watching (UK)
WebsiteWelcome to birdwatching.co.uk, the website of the UK -
BirdWatching (US)
WebsiteSubscribe now to North America’s premier magazine about wild birds and birding. Regardless of whether you enjoy birds in your backyard or far afield, you’ll discover information that will help you find, attract, identify, and understand birds. -
Birding Magazine
WebpageOur full-color, award-winning, 57-year-old flagship members' magazine covers all topics having to do with the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of wild birds and their habitats. -
Birds & Blooms
WebsiteBirds & Blooms brings beautiful backyards from across America into your living room through vivid, full-color photos. It`s like a friendly chat over the back fence with your bird-and-flower-loving neighbors. -
Birdwatch
WebpageBirdwatch was established by Dominic Mitchell in 1992 as an independent magazine for birders. It grew to become the leading monthly news and features magazine at the enthusiast end of the market, and since 2008 has been part of Warners Group Publications. The magazine is based in London alongside BirdGuides, which is also part of the Warners group. -
British Birds
WebsiteBritish Birds is a monthly ornithological journal read by all serious birdwatchers around the World. Founded in 1907, British Birds is now published in association with Pica Press - publishers of bird and natural history books. Articles published in BB are written by eminent birdwatchers researched from original scientific observations and presented in a readable, up-to-date style. First 100 years now on-line! -
Bulletin of the African Bird Club
WebsiteABC Bulletin is produced twice yearly in spring and late summer and is sent to all members and corporate sponsors. -
Ecology & Society
WebsiteConservation Ecology is an electronic, peer-reviewed, scientific journal devoted to the rapid dissemination of current research. Manuscript submission, peer review, and publication are all handled on the Internet. Special software developed by the journal automates all clerical steps during peer review, and allows authors and editors (with the proper passwords) to follow the progress of peer review on the World Wide Web -
Falklands Wildlife News
WebpageThe Falklands have become the scene of a bitter dispute between government and non-government funded conservationists over the protection of Falkland Islands penguins. Government-funded conservationists have been trying to assure worried environmentalists that Falklands penguin populations are adequately protected, despite recent oil spills. Non-government funded research suggests otherwise, and the dispute has led to one Falklands researcher being harassed through malicious phone calls, loss of employment, repeated arrests by the police, and threats of deportation as an undesirable. -
Impact (RSPB)
WebpageImpact is the magazine created especially for you, our donors, to keep you up to date about the work you’re helping to fund. -
Nature
WebsiteWhilst this is a generalist journal it is worldwide in scope and certainly covers lots of issues affecting birds as well as often having very specific articles.