This Privacy Policy explains what information Birdslife (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, how it is used, and what choices you have. It is written for visitors who read our birding guides, use our affiliate links, or sign up for our email updates.
Information we collect
We may collect:
- Information you provide directly, such as your name and email address when you sign up for our newsletter, contact us, or submit feedback.
- Technical information like your IP address, browser type, device type, pages viewed, and time spent on the site, typically collected through analytics tools and cookies.
- Interaction data, such as which emails you open, links you click, and products you purchase after clicking an affiliate link (reported to us in aggregated or limited form by partners, not as full payment details).
We do not collect or store your credit card numbers; purchases are processed by third‑party retailers (such as Amazon or other merchants) under their own privacy policies.
How we use your information
We use collected information to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve Birdslife, including content performance and site security.
- Understand which guides, reviews, and topics are most helpful so we can create better birding content.
- Respond to your questions, comments, and requests submitted through contact forms or email.
- Send optional email communications if you sign up, including monthly newsletters, new articles, birding tips, and special deals or product offers relevant to birds and birding gear.
- Track affiliate link performance so we know which recommended products are popular and to calculate our commissions.
Email sign‑ups and marketing
If you subscribe with your email address, you agree that Birdslife may send:
- Monthly or occasional emails with new guides, birding tips, and updates about the site.
- Monthly or occasional emails with deals, discounts, and product recommendations related to birdwatching, backyard birds, and birding gear.
You can unsubscribe at any time:
- By clicking the “unsubscribe” or “manage preferences” link in any marketing email, or
- By contacting us and asking to be removed from our mailing list.
After you unsubscribe, we will stop sending marketing emails, but we may still send necessary service messages (for example, replies to your direct questions).
Cookies and similar technologies
Birdslife may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember basic preferences (such as language or previously viewed pages).
- Measure traffic, page views, and engagement using analytics tools.
- Track when a click on an affiliate link leads to a purchase so commissions can be attributed correctly.
You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling some cookies may affect how well certain features work.
Affiliate links and third‑party services
Birdslife is supported in part through affiliate programs. When you click an affiliate link:
- A cookie may be placed in your browser by the retailer or affiliate network to track that a purchase came from Birdslife.
- The retailer may share limited, non‑payment information with us (such as an order ID, product, and commission amount) so we can see which recommendations are working.
Third‑party services we may use include:
- Analytics platforms to understand traffic and usage.
- Email service providers to send newsletters and manage subscriber lists.
- Affiliate networks and retailers that manage tracking and commission reporting.
These third parties have their own privacy policies; your use of their services (for example, when completing a purchase on a retailer site) is governed by their terms.
Legal basis and data retention
Where required by law, we rely on:
- Your consent (for example, when you sign up for marketing emails or accept optional cookies).
- Our legitimate interest in operating and improving a content site, preventing abuse, and measuring performance.
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or allowed by law.
Your rights and choices
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal or operational exceptions.
- Withdraw consent for email marketing or certain types of processing at any time.
To exercise these rights, contact us using the details on our Contact page, and include the email address you used on Birdslife so we can locate your information.
Children’s privacy
Birdslife is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13; if we become aware that such data has been provided, we will delete it within a reasonable time.
Data security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to help protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse, including secure connections (HTTPS) where supported.
No website or online service can guarantee complete security, so you should use strong passwords and protect access to your devices and email accounts.
International visitors
If you access Birdslife from outside the country where our servers are located, your information may be processed in a different jurisdiction, which may have different data‑protection laws than your home country.
Where required, additional safeguards or contract terms are used to help protect your data when it is transferred across borders.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our site, services, or applicable laws. When changes are made, the “Last updated” date at the top of this page will be revised; continued use of the site after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your data, or email subscriptions, you can reach us through the Contact page on Birdslife.
We try to respond to privacy‑related requests within a reasonable time and in line with applicable laws.
Learn more about Birdslife
- Founder
- Review Methodology
- Work With Us / Partnerships
- Community Reviews & Testimonials
- Birdslife in the Media
- Bird Websites We Love
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions
- Disclaimer & Amazon Disclosure