AOS 2023 Annual Report: Supporting Science; Supporting Scientists

We are proud to share the American Ornithological Society’s (AOS’s) 2023 Annual Report with you. An annual report gives us the opportunity to explore and celebrate our mission: how we connect ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by supporting impactful science, building community, and providing key resources to our members. In February, we shared the AOS’s …

Reproductive data collected over 20 years help guide recovery of a reintroduced population of critically endangered California Condors

By Victoria Bakker and Myra Finkelstein Related paper: Lead, trash, DDE, and young age of breeders linked to lower fertility in first two decades of reintroduction for critically endangered California Condors in California by Victoria J. Bakker, Myra E. Finkelstein, Daniel F. Doak, Rachel Wolstenholme, Alacia Welch, Joe Burnett, Arianna Punzalan, Joseph Brandt, Steve Kirkland, …

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) announces the winners of its inaugural Latin America and Caribbean Conservation Research Awards

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) Conservation Committee recognizes the urgent need to conduct timely research on the many declining bird species across the Americas and support researchers from countries where funding for scientific endeavors is less available. In 2023, the committee initiated a new Latin America and Caribbean Conservation Research Awards (LACCRA) small grants initiative, …

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) announces its 2023 award winners for achievements in ornithological research, service, conservation, and publication

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) annually bestows a range of awards honoring individuals and groups for their ornithological research and considerable contributions to the science and practice of ornithology, and for their service to the society. This year’s awardees represent outstanding contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds and to the AOS. The …

North American shorebirds are declining faster than we ever imagined

By Stephen Brown, Vice President of Science, Manomet Linked Paper: Accelerating declines of North America’s shorebirds signal the need for urgent conservation action by Paul A. Smith, Adam C. Smith, Brad Andres, Charles M. Francis, Brian Harrington, Christian Friis, R.I. Guy Morrison, Julie Paquet, Bradford Winn, and Stephen Brown, Ornithological Applications. Nearly all shorebird species …

2021 Elliott Coues Award Winner: Bruce Beehler

Over the coming months, we will be profiling the previously announced winners of this year’s AOS awards in a series of posts on Wing Beat. The AOS Elliott Coues Award recognizes outstanding and innovative contributions to ornithological research, with no limitation with respect to geographic area, sub-discipline(s) of ornithology, or the time course over which …

Do protected areas work? Long-term monitoring shows protected areas safeguard bird populations and support federal and state mandates

By Point Blue Conservation Science Linked paper: Protected areas safeguard landbird populations in central coastal California: evidence from long-term population trends by Mark D. Dettling, Kristen E. Dybala, Diana L. Humple, and Thomas Gardali, Ornithological Applications. Federal and state mandates to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 are intended to protect …

AOS Welcomes Dr. Judith Scarl as Its Next Executive Director

CHICAGO, Ill. — The governing Council of the American Ornithological Society (AOS) today announces the appointment of Dr. Judith Scarl as its next executive director and chief executive officer, effective 6 July 2021. Dr. Scarl succeeds Melinda Pruett-Jones as the second woman executive to lead the society. The AOS formed in 2016 after a merger …

The Cryptic Decline of an Iconic Northern Species

In the excitement and confusion of all-night loon capture, you don’t have much time to think. With a goal each night of catching five lakes’ worth of loons, your team of four loon researchers works steadily and by routine.