This Ornithology subject resource guide is available courtesy of Marcia Schiff © 2009.
Introduction – Associations and Meetings – Databases – Journals – Monographs/Books – Reference Resources – Websites
There are many ornithological associations throughout the world. A few of the more prominent ones are included in this section. Almost all of the organizations sponsor meetings. For anyone wishing to learn about upcoming meetings, the organizations’ Web sites are listed below. A comprehensive listing of meetings is also available at BIRDNET’s Web Site: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/ornith/birdmeet.html.
American Birding Association (ABA)
Founded in 1968, “The ABA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides leadership to birders by increasing their knowledge, skills, and enjoyment of birding. We are the only organization in North America that specifically caters to recreational birders. We also contribute to bird and bird habitat conservation through our varied programs.” It offers conferences, conventions, and workshops in various locations throughout the Americas. Its publications include a bimonthly magazine, Birding; a quarterly journal “for birders” published for the 4 bird seasons (Fall Migration, Winter Season, Spring Migration, and the Nesting Season), North American Birds; and a monthly newsletter, Winging It.
Contact:
President/CEO: Rob Robinson
American Birding Association
4945 N. 30th Street, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
E-mail: member@aba.org
Telephone: (800) 850-2473 or (719) 578-9703
Fax (719) 578-1480
American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU)
“Founded in 1883, the American Ornithologists’ Union is the oldest organization in the New World devoted to the scientific study of birds. Fast approaching its 125th anniversary, over its history AOU and its members have created the scientific foundation for ornithology and bird conservation that we enjoy today. The AOU is the largest and most diverse ornithological society, with over 3500 members. Although primarily an organization for professional ornithologists, it welcomes to its ranks many students, conservationists, birders and others who cherish the birds of the world.” Its publications include The Auk, Ornithological Monographs, Birds of North America online and in print, and The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds online and in print.
Contact: Scott Gillihan
AOU Executive Officer
(505) 316-1579
No physical address is provided on the Web site. Membership dues are to be sent to the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA), of which it is a member organization.
Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO)
http://www.afonet.org/index_english.html
Founded in 1922, “The Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO) is one of the world’s major societies of professional and amateur ornithologists dedicated to the scientific study and dissemination of information about birds in their natural habitats. Founded in 1922 as the New England Bird Banding Association, AFO shortly thereafter became the Northeastern Bird-Banding Association. This origin promoted an emphasis on bird banding and field techniques, always with field studies as a focus. Field studies continue to be a focus and, with the new techniques in molecular ecology, bioacoustics technology, and behavioral ecology now available, field studies of birds are approaching ever new questions. AFO encourages the participation of amateurs in research, and emphasizes the conservation biology of birds.” Its publications are the Journal of Field Ornithology and a newsletter, AFO Afield.
Contact: President David N. Bonter
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: 607-254-2457
Fax: 607-254-2104
Email: dnb23@cornell.edu
No physical address is provided on the Web site. Membership dues are to be sent to the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA), of which it is a member organization.
Audubon
Over 100 years old, “Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.” It publishes Audubon Magazine, first published in 1899 as Bird Lore, which sold for 20 cents a copy.
Contact:
| MAIN OFFICE: National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street 7th floor NY, NY 10014 Phone: (212) 979-3000 |
Bird Studies Canada
A not-for-profit organization and co-partner with BirdLife International, “Bird Studies Canada is proudly committed to advancing the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Canada’s wild birds and their habitats.”
Contact:
Headquarters and National Research Centre:
Bird Studies Canada
P.O. Box 160, 115 Front Street
Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Ph. 888-448-2473
Fax 519-586-3532
generalinfo@birdscanada.org
BirdLife International
http://www.birdlife.org/index.html
“BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. BirdLife Partners operate in over one hundred countries and territories worldwide.“ Its publications include a quarterly periodical, World Birdwatch; a quarterly peer-reviewed journal, Bird Conservation International; books, including The Rare Birds Yearbook 2009 which is currently available for sale; and Bird Study Reports.
Contact:
BirdLife Global Office:
BirdLife International
Wellbrook Court
Girton Road
Cambridge CB3 0NA
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44(0)1223 277 318
Fax: +44 (0)1223 277 200
E-Mail: birdlife@birdlife.org
Cooper Ornithological Society
“The Cooper Ornithological Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of over 2,000 professional and amateur ornithologists, is one of the largest ornithological societies in the world. The society was organized in 1893 by a small group of individuals in California who were interested in the study of birds. The name of the society commemorates an early California naturalist, Dr. James G. Cooper.
The objectives of the Cooper Ornithological Society are:
- To encourage and support the scientific study of birds.
- To disseminate ornithological knowledge through publications, meetings, and direct communication among ornithologists.
- To encourage and spread interest in the study of birds.
- To encourage and support the conservation of birds and wildlife in general.”
Publications include a quarterly journal, The Condor; and its monograph series, Studies in Avian Biology. The first 102 years of publication are available free from SORA, Searchable Ornithological Research Archive, http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/, a result of a collaboration between the Cooper Ornithological Society and the University of New Mexico.
Contact:
President
Mercedes Foster
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
National Museum of Natural History-MRC, 0111
P.O. Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-0788 voice
202-357-1932 facsimile
fosterm@si.edu
No physical address is provided on the Web site. Membership dues are to be sent to the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA), of which it is a member organization.
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
“The Cornell Lab’s mission: to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Cornell Lab is a nonprofit organization supported by friends and members.” Its Web site: All About Birds “is created by the staff of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It’s our aim to make this site the Web’s best and most comprehensive resource for North American birds, bird watching, and bird conservation—accessible to everyone for free.” Its publications include the acclaimed Web site All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1189; a quarterly periodical, Living Birds; and a quarterly newsletter, BirdScope. Additionally, it publishes a subscription database, Birds of North America.
Contact:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
1-800-843-BIRD
E-Mail: cornellbirds@cornell.edu
Raptor Research Foundation (RRF)
http://raptorresearchfoundation.org/index.htm
“The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is a non-profit scientific society whose primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific information about raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons and owls). This information is used to inform the public (both scientific and lay) about the role of raptors in nature, and to promote the conservation of raptors whose populations are threatened by human activities. The RRF’s membership consists of academic researchers, government agency employees, and others interested in birds of prey. RRF was organized in 1966 and started publishing a scholarly journal in 1967. The number of members has grown to nearly 1,000 and, even though based in the United States, it is an international organization including members in some 50 countries.” Its publication is The Journal of Raptor Research.
Contact:
President
Leonard Young
1640 Oriole Lane NW
Olympia, WA 98502-4342 USA
PH: 360-943-7394
Cell Phone: 1-360-561-8125
FAX: 360-943-7394
EM: leonardyoung1@comcast.net
No physical address is provided on the Web site. Membership dues are to be sent to the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA), of which it is a member organization.
Waterbird Society
“The Waterbird Society is composed of biologists, researchers, conservationists, students, and others interested in the behavior, ecology, and conservation of waterbirds. The organization is administered by four officers and nine council members elected from the Society’s membership, which includes people from 31 countries. The Society is a member of the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA) and a contributing member of many other scientific societies worldwide, including American Bird Conservancy and The Ornithological Council.” Its publication is Waterbirds: The International Journal of Waterbird Biology first published in 1978.
Contact:
President
David Shealer, Department of Biology
Loras College, 1450 Alta Vista, Dubuque, IA 52004-0178, USA
david.shealer@loras.edu
Western Field Ornithologists (WFO)
http://www.westernfieldornithologists.org/
“Western Field Ornithologists is an organization of amateur and professional field ornithologists that promotes the study of birds throughout western North America including Hawaii, the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and Western Mexico. The organization strives to increase knowledge, appreciation, and protection of birds and their habitats through annual meetings, field trips, and publications, primarily Western Birds, a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal that focuses on field-oriented descriptive ornithology.” Other publications include a new monograph series, Studies of Western Birds; a Field List of California Birds; and a book, Rare Birds of California.
Contact:
President Catherine Waters with no direct mailing or e-mail information
To contact the organization, the following e-mail is provided on the Web site:
contact@westernfieldornithologists.org
There is no physical address listed for the organization on the Web site. Membership is conducted entirely online. Donations can be sent to:
Western Field Ornithologists
c/o Robbie Fischer, Treasurer
1359 Solano Drive
Pacifica, CA 94044.
Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS)
“The Wilson Ornithological Society, founded in 1888, is a world-wide organization of nearly 2500 people who share a curiosity about birds. Named in honor of Alexander Wilson, the Father of American Ornithology, the Society publishes a quarterly journal of ornithology, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, and holds annual meetings.
Perhaps more than any other biological science, ornithology has been advanced by the contributions of persons in other chosen professions. The Wilson Society recognizes the unique role of the serious amateur in ornithology. Fundamental to its mission, the Society has distinguished itself with a long tradition of promoting a strong working relationship among all who study birds. Each year the Wilson Society awards a number of small grants for ornithological research.”
Contact:
“The headquarters and library of the WOS are in the Bird Division of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. The mailing address is Wilson Ornithological Society, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079 USA.”
Introduction – Associations and Meetings – Databases – Journals – Monographs/Books – Reference Resources – Websites
This Ornithology subject resource guide is available courtesy of Marcia Schiff © 2009.
