Birder's Certificate Program

Take your birding skills to the next level! 

The Birder's Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs to the birdwatching community. 

In this 11-module program, you'll learn avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Course goals include:

• Developing an ornithological knowledge base
• Contributing to the conservation of native bird life 
• Empowering birders to contribute to the scientific studies
• Encouraging collaboration between recreational birders and professional ornithologists

The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course; students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement. 

Two Birder's Certificate Program options are offered: 

1. Complete Hybrid Program including online lectures and field sessions
2. Fully remote Online Lecture-Only Program

BCP Complete Hybrid Program

Members: $1995

This course is a Member Benefit. If you are not already a Mass Audubon Member, you may join when you register.

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• 11 In-person monthly field trips
• Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments and a supported independent study project
• Certificate upon completion, as well as a branded Mass Audubon binocular harness

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

Field trips associated with each module will be carried out in Essex County on the Sunday morning following each lecture. Please note that dates are subject to change due to weather and other circumstances.

2026-2027 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: August 15, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: August 16, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 12, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: September 13, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
  • Field Session: October 18, 8:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: November 14, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: November 15, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with Flavio Sutti
  • Online Lecture: December 5, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: December 6, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: January 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: January 18: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: February 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: February 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: March 21, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
  • Field Session: April 18, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 8, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: May 9, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 5, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Session: June 6, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

There is currently a waiting list for the 2026-2027 Complete Hybrid Program. Join the waitlist or contact us for more information.

BCP Online Program

Members: $800

This course is a Member Benefit. If you are not already a Mass Audubon Member, you may join when you register.

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• Student comprehension evaluated through homework assignments
• Certificate upon completion

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

2026-2027 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: August 15, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 12, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: November 14, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Anatomy & Physiology with Flavio Sutti
  • Online Lecture: December 5, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: January 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: February 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 8, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 5, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Register for BCP Online