We report the sequence of a complementary DNA (cDNA) that encodes the chicken GABA(A) receptor alpha-1 subunit, which is extremely homologous to mammalian alpha-1 subunits. The distribution of alpha-1 subunit transcripts is shown to correlate mainly, but not completely, with the previously-reported pattern of benzodiazepine type I (BZI) binding sites in the avian brain. These results suggest that the alpha-1 subunit may not necessarily be restricted to receptors having BZI pharmacology.