Last updated: July 18, 2026
The Faunalist (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates thefaunalist.com. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit the site, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. We keep it in plain English on purpose. If anything is unclear, you can always contact us.
Information We Collect
Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we automatically receive certain technical information when you visit, including your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring pages, the pages you view, and the dates and times of your visits. This information is collected through cookies, server logs, and similar technologies, and is used in aggregate to understand how the site is used and to keep it secure.
Information you provide voluntarily. If you contact us by email, we receive your email address, your name if you include it, and the contents of your message. We use this information only to respond to you and to improve the site. We do not add you to any mailing list without your explicit consent.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We and our third-party partners use cookies and similar technologies (such as pixels and local storage) to make the site work, remember your preferences, measure traffic, and, where permitted, deliver and personalize advertising. You can control cookies through your browser settings, including blocking or deleting them. Disabling cookies may affect how some parts of the site function.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the site, for example which guides are read most and how people find us. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information such as pages visited, time on site, and approximate location derived from your IP address. You can learn how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and opt out of Google Analytics with the browser add-on available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Advertising
The Faunalist is supported by advertising. We work, or may in the future work, with third-party advertising partners and advertising management services that display ads on the site. These partners may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your visits to this and other websites in order to measure ad performance and, where permitted, show you ads that are more relevant to your interests (often called interest-based or personalized advertising).
We do not control the cookies set by advertising partners, and their use of information is governed by their own privacy policies. When we partner with an advertising management service, we will identify that partner here along with a link to its privacy policy and any additional disclosures it requires.
Your advertising choices. You can opt out of interest-based advertising from many participating companies through the Digital Advertising Alliance at optout.aboutads.info, the Network Advertising Initiative at optout.networkadvertising.org, and, for visitors in the European Union, youronlinechoices.eu. Opting out does not remove ads; it makes the ads you see less personalized.
Affiliate Links
Some articles contain affiliate links. The Faunalist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. When you click an affiliate link, the merchant may set cookies to attribute your purchase. This does not change the price you pay. See our full Affiliate and Advertising Disclosure for details.
How We Use Information
- To operate, maintain, and improve the site and its content
- To understand which guides are most useful so we can write better ones
- To respond to messages you send us
- To display advertising that supports the site
- To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, spam, and abuse
- To comply with legal obligations
How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only with: (1) service providers that help us run the site, such as web hosting, content delivery, security, and analytics providers; (2) advertising partners as described above; and (3) authorities where required by law or to protect our rights, our visitors, or the public. These providers are only permitted to use the information as needed to provide their services.
Data Retention
We keep server logs and analytics data only as long as needed for the purposes described above, after which they are deleted or anonymized. Emails you send us are kept for as long as needed to handle your request and for a reasonable period afterwards in case of follow-up questions.
Your Privacy Rights
Visitors in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (GDPR). You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data, the right to restrict or object to certain processing, and the right to data portability. Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it at any time. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. To exercise these rights, contact us.
California residents (CCPA/CPRA). You have the right to know what categories of personal information we collect and how we use them (described in this policy), the right to request deletion of personal information we hold about you, the right to correct inaccurate personal information, and the right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information as those terms are defined in California law. Cookie-based advertising may qualify as “sharing” under the CPRA; you can opt out using the advertising choice tools linked above and your browser or device settings, including the Global Privacy Control signal. We do not knowingly collect or sell the personal information of anyone under 16. We will never discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
Other regions. Residents of other US states or countries with privacy laws may have similar rights. We honor reasonable requests from all visitors regardless of location; just reach out.
Children’s Privacy
The Faunalist is a general-audience website and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
International Visitors
The site is hosted on servers that may be located in the United States or the European Union, and our service providers may process data in other countries. By using the site, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in countries with data protection laws different from those in your country. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for such transfers.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the site and the limited information we hold, including HTTPS encryption, firewalls, and security monitoring. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Links to Other Websites
Our guides link to outside resources such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Audubon Society, government wildlife agencies, and retailers. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites and encourage you to read their privacy policies.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, for example when we add a new advertising partner or a new feature. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Material changes will be reflected here before they take effect.
Contact Us
Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at [email protected] or use our contact page. We respond to every privacy request.