BirdLife International

What BirdLife International does

BirdLife International, founded in 1922 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, is a registered charity (charity number 1042125) and the world's oldest international nature conservation partnership. It operates a federated global partnership of 124 national conservation NGOs across six continental regions (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific), with a regional office in Tokyo established in April 2002. The organization coordinates site-based conservation, migratory bird flyway protection, and policy advocacy through national partners, supported by data platforms and tools including DataZone (an online species and IBA/KBA data platform integrating IUCN Red List assessments, eBird Status and Trend maps, and Conservation Evidence), the AVISTEP biodiversity mapping tool for renewable energy planning (developed with Asian Development Bank support), the Community Tree Stewards smartphone-based restoration monitoring system, and contribution to the IBAT Programme.

BirdLife generates revenue from a diversified base of individual donations, foundation and government grants (Ecological Restoration Fund, CEPF, EU, Asian Development Bank, Garfield Weston Foundation, Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, TerraFund for AFR100), recurring membership via the World Bird Club and Species Champions/Species Guardians sponsorship programs, merchandise sales through the BirdLife Online Store, and corporate partnerships (e.g., Zeiss as Species Champion for Spotted Greenshank). Its go-to-market combines community-led grassroots engagement through national partners with event-driven fundraising (Global Birdfair, Tokyo and Osaka Gala Dinners) and digital channels (website, email, social media). The organization engages governments and policymakers via formal relationships with international conventions (CMS, CITES, Ramsar) and holds regulatory status as the IUCN Red List Authority for birds.

Name

BirdLife International

Legal name

BirdLife International

Website

https://birdlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BirdLife International is a registered UK charity and the global partnership of 124 national conservation NGOs that coordinates bird and biodiversity conservation across six continents through site protection, flyway conservation, policy advocacy, and the DataZone science platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

Keywords

• Bird conservation services
• Wildlife habitat protection
• Biodiversity data platform
• Environmental advocacy programmes
• Migratory species conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, major gifts, and fundraising campaigns including the 'Give birds a lifeline' campaign with matching donations up to $20,000.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: Major grants from organizations such as the Ecological Restoration Fund (£7.5 million for African-Eurasian Flyway), Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), European Union, and various government agencies.
3. Membership and Subscription: World Bird Club membership program and Species Champions/Species Guardians programs where individuals or organizations sponsor specific species.
4. BirdLife Store: Online merchandise store selling sustainable products made from sustainable materials printed in renewable energy powered factories.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations such as Zeiss (Species Champion for Spotted Greenshank), and corporate sponsors for events and campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BirdLife International is a global partnership of 124 national conservation NGOs that delivers bird and biodiversity conservation through site-based habitat protection, scientific research, policy advocacy (CMS, CITES, Ramsar), community engagement, and fundraising programmes. It maintains the DataZone platform as its primary scientific data asset and coordinates species-level interventions, flyway protection, and reforestation projects across all continents.

Product overview

BirdLife International operates as a global conservation partnership of 124 national Partners across all continents, functioning primarily as a membership organization and advocacy body rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings center on conservation programmes, scientific data platforms, and fundraising. The main products include: DataZone (a science data platform with species factsheets and IUCN Red List data), the AVISTEP Mapping Tool (bird/bat biodiversity mapping for renewable energy), Community Tree Stewards Monitoring System (smartphone-based tree growth verification), and the Global Birdfair (annual conservation event). Additional offerings include the BirdLife Online Store, Species Champions Programme, IBAT Programme contribution, and Impact4nature initiative. The organization does not offer commercial software products with integrations, APIs, or AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BirdLife DataZone Online scientific data platform providing species factsheets, IUCN Red List assessments, Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA/KBA) data, integrated eBird status and trend maps, Conservation Evidence API integration, and downloadable datasets for non-commercial research use by conservation professionals, researchers, and government agencies.
• Species Champions Programme Sponsorship programme enabling corporations (e.g. Zeiss for Spotted Greenshank) and individuals to fund conservation of specific threatened bird species on an annual basis.
• World Bird Club Membership Annual individual membership programme that provides supporters with engagement, news, and conservation impact updates in exchange for recurring contributions.
• Global Birdfair Annual ticketed conservation event combining birdwatching, education, merchandise sales, and donor engagement.
• BirdLife Online Store E-commerce storefront selling BirdLife-branded merchandise made from sustainable materials and printed in a renewable energy powered factory.
• AVISTEP Mapping Tool Biodiversity mapping tool developed with Asian Development Bank support that maps bird and bat fatality risk to support renewable energy planning while protecting biodiversity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300,000 trees planted on 504 hectares in Rwanda restoration project
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Nature RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature Rwanda partnered with BirdLife International to implement a TerraFund for AFR100-funded land restoration project in Rusizi District, Rwanda since 2022. Planted 300,000 trees on 504 hectares, mobilized 3,414 households, and created 394 jobs. The project has attracted scale-up funding for additional restoration.
• Asian Development BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the development of the AVISTEP mapping tool by BirdLife International, a biodiversity mapping tool for renewable energy planning that balances energy development with biodiversity protection.
• ZeisscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZeiss became a BirdLife Species Champion for Spotted Greenshank, supporting vital research and conservation action to protect this endangered shorebird on its wintering grounds in Thailand.
• Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly hosted the Forest Governance Forum with BirdLife International, bringing together forest conservation science, capacity building, commercial sector, Indigenous communities, and government representatives.
• UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBirdLife participates in CMS Energy Task Force facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration to balance renewable energy development with biodiversity protection. Showcasing ETF Workplan 2025-2032.
• Charles Darwin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published research in Oryx journal with BirdLife International warning of Timor Green Pigeon extinction. Study conducted over 1,400 survey days from 2002 to 2025.
• Burung IndonesiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Indonesia working on sustainable teak timber production and forest governance in Mbeliling landscape. Supports communities through conservation education, economic development, and advocacy.
• Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner leading Spotted Greenshank conservation project in Thailand, managing Pak Thale Nature Reserve and Laem Phak Bia wetlands. Building local conservation groups and community awareness.
• Audubon (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational BirdLife Partner in the United States with mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and earth's biological diversity.
• American Bird Conservancy (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational BirdLife Partner in the United States working on bird conservation programs.
• Nature IraqcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Iraq monitoring bird hunting and sales in markets, working with local groups on alternative livelihoods and conservation awareness.
• Syrian Society for Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Syria working to strengthen hunting laws and rescue endangered species like Egyptian Vulture despite political instability.
• MME - BirdLife HungarycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Hungary operating Carcass and Poison Detection Dog Unit for rapid response to mass poisoning events affecting protected birds.
• Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) - FrancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in France that successfully campaigned to ban barbaric glue trap practices for songbird trapping following legal action at France's highest court.
• NatureLife CambodiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Cambodia conducting research into bird hunting in coastal communities and wetlands, strengthening enforcement against hunting in key wetland areas.
• BANCA MyanmarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Myanmar building local capacity for wetland protection, addressing illegal bird hunting in Mandalay region through conservation groups and government engagement.
• Haribon Foundation PhilippinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Philippines committed to nature conservation through community empowerment and scientific excellence. Works on forest governance and Philippine Eagle protection.
• Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBirdLife Partner in Malaysia working on forest governance, hornbill conservation, and sustainable forest management.
• Cornell Lab of OrnithologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided access to eBird Status and Trend maps integrated into BirdLife's DataZone platform for species factsheets.
• Conservation EvidencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnabled integration of their API into BirdLife DataZone, allowing relevant studies and actions to be featured on species factsheets.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is one of the world's largest environmental nonprofits with a multi-billion dollar budget focused on land and water conservation globally. Comparable to BirdLife in mission scope, science-driven approach, and global reach, but operates at significantly larger scale and with greater land-holding focus rather than species specialization.

Direct peers

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): IUCN is the global authority on biodiversity conservation and the source of the IUCN Red List. BirdLife is the official Red List Authority for birds, making IUCN its closest institutional peer - both operate global conservation science networks, produce authoritative species data, and influence international environmental policy through member organizations.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): WWF is the largest global conservation NGO operating an international network of national offices focused on species and habitat protection. Directly comparable to BirdLife as both compete for the same pool of philanthropic biodiversity funding, operate multi-country conservation programs, and engage in global policy advocacy (CBD, CITES).
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): RSPB is the UK's largest bird conservation charity with a multi-million member base and is itself a BirdLife Partner. Highly comparable in mission focus (birds specifically), UK origin, membership-driven funding model, and reserve management approach - though RSPB is more UK-domestic while BirdLife operates globally.
• National Audubon Society: Audubon is the BirdLife Partner for the USA and one of the oldest and largest bird-focused conservation organizations. Comparable to BirdLife in core bird conservation mission, IBA-network approach, and member-based funding model, while serving a primarily US geographic scope.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS operates globally with a focus on wildlife conservation through field programs, especially in priority landscapes. Comparable to BirdLife in its species-and-habitat conservation focus, global geographic reach, and reliance on a combination of donations, grants, and zoo-based funding streams for conservation delivery.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): FFI is one of the world's oldest conservation organizations (founded 1903) focused on threatened species and ecosystems globally. Comparable to BirdLife in species-driven conservation, UK origin, science-based approach, and partner-supported program delivery model.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a global NGO focused on protecting nature and biodiversity hotspots, with major corporate and government partnerships. Directly comparable to BirdLife in global conservation scope, policy advocacy, and reliance on foundation and corporate ESG funding, though with a stronger focus on corporate biodiversity credits.
• Wetlands International: Wetlands International is a global nonprofit dedicated to wetland conservation and migratory waterbird protection, closely aligned with BirdLife's flyway conservation work. Highly comparable in scope (migratory waterbirds, flyways, Ramsar engagement) and complementary in joint advocacy on shared flyway sites.
• American Bird Conservancy (ABC): ABC is the BirdLife Partner for the Americas and a direct peer in bird conservation focus, including Species Champions sponsorship programs. Comparable to BirdLife in habitat protection (IBA-style reserves), migratory bird conservation, and corporate partnership-driven funding models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BirdLifeInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/birdlife-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/birdlife.international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BirdLife International