International Bioacoustics Society (IBAC)

Studying the sounds of nature since 1969

We are a global multidisciplinary community dedicated to the scientific study of biological sounds. From ethology to machine learning, we foster the exchange of ideas to better understand and conserve our world’s acoustic heritage.

The 2027 IBAC Conference

The next IBAC Conference will be hosted in South Africa in 2027. Please check back later or join our mailing list for upcoming details.

Research
Resources

Access our newly modernized database of 150+ software tools, sound libraries, and academic journals.

Become
A Member

Support the advancement of bioacoustics and gain access to reduced conference fees and our global expert network.

A Scientific Community since 1969

IBAC by the Numbers

The International Bioacoustics Society (IBAC) was born from a desire to unite the diverse worlds of biology and physical acoustics. Founded in Århus, Denmark, in 1969, we began as a small council of passionate researchers and sound recordists.

Today, we are a globally recognized non-profit society that brings together ethologists, engineers, and conservationists. From the early days of magnetic tape to modern machine learning, our mission remains unchanged: to foster international collaboration and decipher the complex vocalisations of the natural world.

Established in Århus, Denmark

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International Conferences

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Host Countries across 5 Continents

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Curated Bioacoustic Resources

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What is bioacoustics ?

An Intersection Between Biology and Physical Acoustics

Bioacoustics is the scientific study of biological sounds, a field at the crossroads of natural behavior and physical science.

Animal Communication

Sound production, anatomy, and neurophysiology.

Underwater & Aerial Acoustics

Propagation in water and air, Biosonar of dolphins and bats.

Sensory Biology

Sound reception mechanisms and animal hearing.

Evolution & Ethology

Ontogeny, development, and acoustic behavior.

Environmental Impact

Effects of man-made noise and eco-acoustics.

The Future of Data

Machine learning, computational analysis, and wildlife monitoring.

Latest News

Staying Connected with the Global Bioacoustics Community

The 2027 IBAC Conference

We are thrilled to announce that the next International Bioacoustics Society conference will take place in South Africa in 2027. The official link and exact dates will be shared here soon.

Reduced Membership Fees Available

To support global participation in bioacoustics, IBAC is pleased to offer reduced membership rates for researchers residing and working in eligible lower-income countries (based on the Research4Life A and B lists).

Bioacousticians are like Champollion deciphering the Rosetta Stone.

We study the richness and complexity of animal sounds to understand how ecosystems work, how species interact, and how our own communication evolved over geological time.

— The IBAC Committee