In 2013, we started Avian Behavior International as a mission driven LLC, fostering inspiration and connection between humans and birds for a better future for all. Now we are so lucky to be in a place where our mission is growing, and the world is asking more of us. That is why we have been transitioning to a non-profit for the last twelve months. And it’s time to take off.

Why This Change? Because the Birds—and the Planet—Need More From Us

We made it successfully through the pandemic, but like many of you, it left us striving for more purpose and deeper work to put our skills to work for the benefit of our community. If you have been an Avian Behavior fan for a while, you know our birds raise thousands of dollars each year for conservation, from South Africa to Chile, Costa Rica to right here in San Diego County. But we wanted to do more as leaders and partners, not just as supporters.

As a nonprofit, we can expand our impact in ways we could never before:

• Bring free conservation education to more communities through partnerships
• Offer grants and fellowships for students and new professionals to learn with us
• Conduct and support field research around the world using the unique expertise we’ve developed to assist with reintroductions, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and strengthen conservation outcomes, including the American kestrel and Southern ground hornbill
• Enhance programs with underrepresented birds critical to ecosystems

Why Give Now? Because We’re Ready—But We Can’t Do It Alone

We’ve laid the foundation. But we’re at a critical turning point.

To officially transition to nonprofit operations, we need to raise $35,000 to:

• Bring conservation education to more communities—especially those without access—through a used mobile education van, updated materials, and an engaging new website. This van will be particularly helpful in the summer and expand when we can travel east to the desert areas of Southern California.

Estimated $24,000

• Support the American kestrel monitoring project launched in 2025 and support area biologists in the kestrel monitoring network
• Funds support the purchase of GPS tags and data plans ($2000 each), lodging and transport costs for professional biologists in the network

Estimated $4,500 - $8,000

• Support the backbone of our transformation— legal support and nonprofit infrastructure

Estimated $3,500

• Develop specialized programs for scavengers tied in with the Golden eagle, vulture, and California condor conservation, lead-free movements, and sustainable energy production awareness

Estimated $1,500

We are poised and ready for lift-off. You will be able to see these programs in action as we hit the ground running with your generous donation. You know us by our core values: excellence in bird-first care and training, accountability, and transparency. By expanding our vision and our efforts, we are picking up the vacuum left by governmental funding and local and state budgets stretched thin. 

This is the time where every dollar counts. Birds tie the whole planet together, and that is how we see our work. We aren’t going to let them down. This is your chance to become part of something bigger. To be one of the donors who didn’t just watch the transformation happen—but made it possible. We want to bring you with us on this incredible journey where the future is for the birds.