Bird Photographer Code of Ethics

[Sylvia Ramos]

As bird photographers, I think we all want "to guarantee the wellness of the subject being photographed, to preserve the integrity of its habitat and to assure the safety and reputation of bird photographers". (from www.oiseaux.ca/ethique/ethique-a.html )

Yet, as someone who is fairly new in both birdwatching and bird photography, I sometimes wonder whether I am doing any harm to my bird subjects. Recently, I asked some birders how to best photograph a Nightjar at night, and some people said, "use a spotlight". But, some sites say that could temporarily blind the bird or even cause it to fall off its perch!

We all know of places where the birds fly away from people and are difficult to spot because the area is heavily hunted and the birds are "gun-shy". It would be very sad if the birds in also become "camera-shy" because they get scared away by the behavior of the photographers! Especially since that is the complete opposite of the bird photographer's intention!

As more people get into birdwatching and bird photography, I believe it would be in the best interests of EVERYONE if we could develop a "Bird Photographer Code of Ethics" or guidelines to good practices when in the field.

One "tip" I read is, "Do not hound a bird with constant pursuit. When it flies away from you, it is because you are disturbing it. Use the proper equipment for bird photography. If the bird shows signs of stress, or if your presence prevents it from going about it's normal activities, back away and use a more powerful lens, or give up."

(Romy -- is this the right section to post this?)

[Romy Ocon]

Thanks for starting the thread, Sylvia. Yes, this is the right board because the bulk of the issue involves fieldcraft. Let me see if I can transfer the earlier posts to start off the discussion.

[Romy Ocon]

Quoting some of the earlier discussion from Ely's thread:

Mar 26, 2009 4:17:15 GMT Sylvia Ramos said:

This is an amazing series Ely!!

I'm wondering .. is it true that wildlife photographers abroad consider it unethical to photograph birds in a nest because it can attract predators to the nest or cause abandonment of the nest? There seem to be many opinions about this. Some people even go as far as claiming that it is illegal in the US to disturb a nest.

Romy and moderators: Could you please start a thread on the ethics of responsible bird photography? Or maybe develop a Code of Conduct for Philippine bird photographers? It would be very sad to think that people may inadvertently harm the birds they are trying to photograph! I don't this is the case though with Ely's series because he has such a long lens, the surrounding foliage looks undisturbed, and the Black Naped Oriole is not a shy or skittish bird anyway.

Just wondering .. my opinion lang!

Mar 26, 2009 4:47:51 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Mar 26, 2009 4:17:15 GMT Sylvia Ramos said:

This is an amazing series Ely!!

I'm wondering .. is it true that wildlife photographers abroad consider it unethical to photograph birds in a nest because it can attract predators to the nest or cause abandonment of the nest? There seem to be many opinions about this. Some people even go as far as claiming that it is illegal in the US to disturb a nest.

Romy and moderators: Could you please start a thread on the ethics of responsible bird photography? Or maybe develop a Code of Conduct for Philippine bird photographers? It would be very sad to think that people may inadvertently harm the birds they are trying to photograph! I don't this is the case though with Ely's series because he has such a long lens, the surrounding foliage looks undisturbed, and the Black Naped Oriole is not a shy or skittish bird anyway.

Just wondering .. my opinion lang!

Hi Sylvia,

You're right..... some birding sites (like http://www.birdforum.net) don't allow posting of nesting birds, presumably because of concerns on disturbance.


The matter of birding or bird photography ethics is quite complex. One practice that's a no-no in certain places or with certain species might be justifiable in other situations. Often, the photographer is faced with a dilemma on whether to take a capture to help dramatize the plight of a species (whose survival is not yet threatened), but such action might cause the particular nesting couple to abandon the nest.

There's little black or white in this concern, and a lot of gray areas. What I personally follow currently is just one simple rule - my capture shouldn't have any lasting effect on the bird's behavior, regardless of whether the species is threatened or not. That I shoot from far away with long lenses, and my avoidance of the use of flash and bird calls, should be help me hew close to this personal rule.

I too have tried some shortcuts a few times in the past (bird calls, etc.), but I wouldn't do the same now. A long lens, the convenience of digital capture, a hide and/or the superior mental capacity of our species are enough I think to make good captures possible, albeit challenging.


I encourage you to open a thread on this question and we can copy our initial posts to that thread and continue discussing there.

Mar 26, 2009 5:12:53 GMT Neon Rosell II said:

Mar 26, 2009 4:17:15 GMT Sylvia Ramos said:

This is an amazing series Ely!!

I'm wondering .. is it true that wildlife photographers abroad consider it unethical to photograph birds in a nest because it can attract predators to the nest or cause abandonment of the nest? There seem to be many opinions about this. Some people even go as far as claiming that it is illegal in the US to disturb a nest.

Romy and moderators: Could you please start a thread on the ethics of responsible bird photography? Or maybe develop a Code of Conduct for Philippine bird photographers? It would be very sad to think that people may inadvertently harm the birds they are trying to photograph! I don't this is the case though with Ely's series because he has such a long lens, the surrounding foliage looks undisturbed, and the Black Naped Oriole is not a shy or skittish bird anyway.

Just wondering .. my opinion lang!

I think it’s up to the photographer’s judgment to analyze each particular scenario and should back out whenever they think their actions are causing the birds some distress or discomfort which cause it to deviate from their normal behavioral patterns.

We should think of the welfare of the birds first as opposed to getting a good photograph. But most of the time if you approach a bird cautiously and show that you are not a threat it will get accustomed to your actions and won’t mind and go about its normal activities.

With urban birds, they are accustomed to people so I guess they are less likely to get affected. One example is the barbet nest holes in UP. With 10+ photographers shooting at different distances the birds went about its normal activities as it was used to a lot of people and vehicle traffic. These were normal events in their surroundings.

Most of our birds are undocumented and a little piece of documentation without harming the birds in their natural habitat would go a long way!! Just think of this, the scientists uses mist nets and pluck feathers to get a better understanding of the birds and its behavior, before this, they used to shoot it and stuff it with cotton. And we what do we do? Photograph it in its natural habitat and show how wonderful it is when it’s flying free and without any human intervention whatsoever. Just my 2 centavos.

Mar 26, 2009 6:03:19 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

Nice captures Ely.
Different birds have different habits. Even a bird call can mislead birds who are territorial. They can leave their territories to seek the sound of a possible mate making incessant calls from somewhere else. Some will abandon their nest and leave the chicks to their demise because of a threat.

I remember a time when I was birdwatching in American cemetery. I did not realize that I was standing under the tree with the cup nest of a fantail just above my head. The parent bird was so frantic and made a lot of noise. I could tell that it was so threatened. On another occassion, the same nest was spotted by my friend in her potted plant in the garden. So it was very close to people, esp. when her maid waters the garden. The bird has not left its nest have been using it - seasons have passed and she's still using the same nest. Take the example of the birds in Villa Escudero. Recently, Mela showed me a nest of a sunbird along the road, by the gate of a building. It looked fine. So, some birds get used to it. But it is better to be sure. Good judgment should be exercised. Look at these orioles, so cute. Now that photo teaches me to be more caring with nests. Stay away from it. Long lens, hide, gentle movements... no bird calls. telyds

[Romy Ocon]

One thing I noticed about wild birds is that each one has what I'll call its comfort distance (for lack of a better term). This is the closest distance we can approach the bird in full view (without employing a hide) and the subject continues with its routine, unscared and not flying away. One step nearer and the bird will be spooked and it stops what it is doing and often takes off.

The comfort distance varies with locality, and even with the same species. I'd surmise it depends on the threat environment each individual bird has been accustomed to.


I normally get as close to the birds as I can until I reach the edge of the comfort distance (you'll know you're at this edge when the bird starts getting alarmed). Then I use long lenses and TCs to get even nearer. Alternatively, one can use a vehicle as a blind. Repeatedly breaching the comfort distance and going after the bird once it takes off and lands farther away shouldn't be done, as this definitely will have longer term effect on that bird's behavior.

Knowing how to operate outside the comfort distance is specially important with filming. One needs a long time to set up the gear and shoot the subject doing its natural routine, and this luxury can be obtained only when one is not perceived as a threat.

[Neon Rosell II]

Here’s another 2 centavos! ;D

I think there is no general rule to follow except for you always think of the birds well being and safety a “birds first” mentality. And as photographers we should also study the behavior of the species we are shooting to bring out the natural habit of each bird in our photos. If you have this in mind nothing could go wrong.

The main idea here is you should know the characteristic of each particular bird species. You won’t be able to generalize a rule that applies to all, if you do this then that’s the end of getting detailed captures. Even with a long lens you sometimes need to get a closer shot and a closer shot is always better than a shot taken at a distance, unless you want to show the habitat.

You should be a bird watcher first before being a photographer. By studying and observing the birds’ habit and activities at a distant you would be able to make a general assessment of how it behaves naturally, only then you can be a photographer and determine how you would get the best angles and distance. You have to know when to back away also when you think you have disrupted their activities especially on feeding trees.

Feeding trees are the most important. If you linger around and the birds can’t come back then they’ll starve or won’t be able to feed properly for the day. Best is to setup a blind or in a car. Get your shot and move on.

The bigrer problem would be, if you’re in jail and you couldn’t do all of the above..waaaaahhhhhhhh!!

[ppaaoolloo]

I believe in Primum non nocere or loosely translated "Above all, do no harm". Other than the birds my activities should not harm the habitat, other people and ourselves.

My photos reflect this belief. Now running after birds with 10kg worth of gear is just loony. ;D

[Romy Ocon]

Mar 26, 2009 9:46:47 GMT @ppaaoolloo said:

Now running after birds with 10kg worth of gear is just loony. ;D

Now you'd know why Neon's Latin name is Avianus lunaticus...... he's always walking around with a 600 f4 + TC + camera + tripod, plus a lot of provisions in his vest, a few times on a bad knee. ;D

[ppaaoolloo]

^^ Now I get it. Now based on Sylvia's Ethics link I see flash use.

Would it be ethical to use a fill in flash during the day to light up the shadows? My take on this is the flash wouldn't register to the bird at all during daytime thus doesn't harm.

[Neon Rosell II]

Mar 26, 2009 10:18:55 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Mar 26, 2009 9:46:47 GMT @ppaaoolloo said:

Now running after birds with 10kg worth of gear is just loony. ;D

Now you'd know why Neon's Latin name is Avianus lunaticus...... he's always walking around with a 600 f4 + TC + camera + tripod, plus a lot of provisions in his vest, a few times on a bad knee. ;D

Bwahahahahaha ;D I think I'm the happiest person when I'm doing this whole day, come rain or shine...bwahahahaa, but not right now

[Eric Patdu]

Mar 26, 2009 9:34:10 GMT Neon Rosell II said:

You should be a bird watcher first before being a photographer.

I think this says it all. Learning more about the subject will get you better photos. Of course I don't mean that you need to see first all the birds before you start taking photos. By being a bird watcher, you get to learn not only the birds habits and behavior but you also get to learn something more important... how to observe a bird without disturbing it.

[Bob Kaufman]

My take on this is "respect". Respect the birds, the habitat, other birders and other bird photographers. No photo is more important than the safety of the birds, the health of the environment and the feelings of others.

There are occasions here in the U.S. when some unethical bird photographers would break some branches that are in the way just to get a picture of a nest with fledglings. Or would release mice bought from a pet store just so they can take a picture of a raptor "in action". Or would insist on getting near a bird to get a better shot (and would spook it) while birders are looking at that particular bird. Thankfully those kind of photographers are few and they certainly would get some words from those who pratice good photography ethics.

[Romy Ocon]

Mar 26, 2009 10:41:01 GMT @ppaaoolloo said:

^^ Now I get it. Now based on Sylvia's Ethics link I see flash use.

Would it be ethical to use a fill in flash during the day to light up the shadows? My take on this is the flash wouldn't register to the bird at all during daytime thus doesn't harm.

There are more bird photographers around the world using flash than those that don't, and its long term effect on birds is debated.

Personally, I avoid using flash as fill-in (though I always have a flash gun + BB in my bag) because of the following:

1. It often causes the steely-eye or red-eye effect. This can be touched up in PP though.

2. For birds with iridiscent plumage, the flash tends to produce unnatural colors.

3. Attaching a flash + Better Beamer to the shooting rig makes such less streamlined and more cumbersome to wield.

4. Fill-in lighting would be just in the order of +1/3 to +2/3 stop more illumination in the shadows anyway...... this can be easily recovered in RAW conversion/PP with today's sensors even without flash. If the backlighting needs more fill-in than this, the shot is no good to me anyway aesthetics wise.

[William Lim]

Sharing to the group

www.naturephotographers.net/ethics.html

[ppaaoolloo]

Mar 27, 2009 11:41:49 GMT William Lim said:

Sharing to the group

www.naturephotographers.net/ethics.html

My experience with the social aspect (law, rules, private property, etc) is that you only have to ask permission. Some places just need a note while others verbal lang. Sometimes (this is rare) even the person in authority of the private property may even accompany you out of curiosity.

[Teddy Regpala]

Mar 27, 2009 11:41:49 GMT William Lim said:

Sharing to the group

www.naturephotographers.net/ethics.html

"3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards."

Sometimes I feel guilty on this.
Aside from birds, I think I'm attracting feral cats in our backyard.
I've seen several cats hiding in the bushes, and sometimes directly below the feeders.
Though I haven't seen them actually catching birds yet.

I noticed yesterday, looks like several species of birds are making our backyard (and our neighbor's) their home for the season.
And most probably, the cats will be back as well.

[Luis (Chito) Limchiu]

It should also be realized that that essentially the same "ethical" guidelines applies for both bird watchers and bird photographers, I am frequently dismayed on visits to Candaba where people (even "resident giude") do all kinds of things to make the birds fly in the air (including firing of guns (real guns not flash), shouting, waving and making all kind of noises) causing a lot of wasted energy for the birds which could be put to better use by the birds. I suggest we should try to put up sign post on what to do and not to do on bird watching/bird photography at the site since post of these people just have no idea on the harm they are doing.
I think it is doubtful that 1-2 bird calls or a single fill-in flash would produce significant harm to the bird repeated calls and flash is, of course, a different story.
Chito

[Mark Jason Argallon]

i'm also a member of WBCP and a member gave me this article, which is also available online. i think this would be a helpful article for us.

www.betterviewdesired.com/Seven-Fold-Path-to-Better-Birding.php