Effective conservation of Australia's birds requires that we focus our activities at a regional scale, to particular bird species, or to specific sites of interest. Much of Birds Australia's work is done by our Regional and Special Interest Groups, at our Reserves and Observatories. Together, they form the Birds Australia Family.

In most parts of the country Birds Australia Members automatically belong to a Regional Group. The activities and interests of each Regional Group are coordinated by a committee of volunteers who seek to achieve the objectives of Birds Australia at the local and regional level.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together people with a common specific interest within the broad field of ornithology. Currently there are five SIGs focussed on: waders, seabirds, parrots, raptors and ethno-ornithology respectively.

Gluepot Reserve in the South Australian Riverland was the first conservation reserve purchased by Birds Australia and is the site of important conservation work for threatened species reliant on old-growth mallee habitats. Newhaven Reserve in the Northern Territory is managed in partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and is an important site for the conservation of arid zone birds.

Birds Australia has two field stations or observatories, Broome on Roebuck Bay in the Kimberley region of WA, and Eyre on the south-east coast of WA. Both field stations provide essential support for field researchers and a base for recreational birdwatchers.