The Ornithological Council’s mission is to:
- Ensure that the best ornithological science is incorporated into legislative, regulatory, and management decisions that affect birds;
- Enhance the ability of ornithologists to pursue professional activities; and
- Promote the influence of ornithology in public affairs.
Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff:
1. Met with the APHIS staff, including representatives of the Animal Products Import and Export Program, to discuss recent research on the viability of avian influenza and Newcastle Disease viruses on dried ornithological specimens and its impact on USDA treatment methods for imports.
2. Posted our new fact sheet on avian influenza on our website. This new fact sheet is an update from our 2020 fact sheet on avian influenza, West Nile virus, and other diseases.
3. Updated our Import Guide to include changes in import rules and regulations, including the CDC’s new Importer Certification Statement.
4. Continued work on a template field study policy for IACUCs to adopt. In response to many inquiries about compliance with the Annual Welfare Act, especially regarding field work, in light of the new regulations regarding birds, the OC is developing a sample policy regarding field studies under the AWA that institutions can use to develop and enact their own policies.
5. Continued work on the 4th edition of the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research in Spanish. Last year, we published the 4th edition of the Guidelines in English, which consisted of text from the 3rd edition along with new reference lists for each chapter. In addition, old links throughout the document were updated. We are now making those updates to the Spanish version of the 3rd edition and will release the new version in the coming months.
6. Continued to seek sponsors for the Ornithology Exchange. The new OE sponsorship program offers tiered benefits to sponsors in return for annual support of the site. The OC took over management of the Ornithology Exchange last year, and it requires about $1000 a year, as well as an investment of staff time, to manage the site. Learn more about the sponsorship program here.
7. Provided direct individual assistance to ornithologists who belong to OC societies regarding animal welfare issues and how to obtain the permits necessary to complete their research. During September and October, we assisted three individuals with permit issues.
8. Posted articles and updates on the Ornithology Exchange regarding:
- eBird data developed to inform State Wildlife Action Plans
- USFWS petitioned to address building collisions
- Proceedings released for NAS science communication workshop
- USFWS must reconsider Golden-cheeked Warbler status, again
- OC releases HPAI fact sheet
- COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Rat eradication in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
- COMMENT OPPORTUNITY: Canada proposes change in CITES listing for Peregrine Falcon
- The State of Canada’s Birds released
- New bird legislation introduced
Our work focuses on animal welfare issues, permits, research funding, and other policies that affect ornithologists and ornithological societies – and we greatly appreciate your support! All these updates, and more, are always available on the ‘News From the OC’ forum on Ornithological Exchange.
Each time OC posts in the News from the OC forum, the link is sent to the OC society representatives to share with their networks. If your society would like these emails sent directly, or if you have with questions or concerns about this report or about any other matter of concern to your society or your society’s members, please contact Laura Bies.
Laura Bies
Executive Director
Ornithological Council
202.905.9141
