Bird codes, also known as banding codes or alpha codes, are four-letter and six-letter abbreviations for bird names used by birders, bird banders and ornithologists, and birdwatchers in North and Central America. For example, the four-code for Wood Duck is “WODU”. The six-letter code is “AIXSPO” which is derived from the Wood Duck’s Scientific Name of “Aix sponsa”.

These Bird Codes are commonly used as short-hand to write a bird names (often incorrectly). When entering or reading field notes, Bird Codes can speed and simplify matters but can take years to learn and can be confusing.