Birds of the World (BOW) is a rich database of species accounts of the world’s birds and is accessible to AOS members free of charge. Each account contains information on distinguishing characteristics, distribution, systematics, behavior, ecology, demography, conservation, and priorities for future research.

Birds of the World is a continuation of Birds of North America, a series that was produced as a collaborative effort of the former American Ornithologists’ Union, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the Academy of Natural Sciences. It was first published in print over a period of 10 years, with 18 volumes completed in 2002, before moving online in 2004.


Birds of the World Access Information

BOW website

For AOS Members
Access Birds of the World through our Member Portal.