Association of Field Ornithologists

Welcome!

AFO held its annual meeting in Ogden, Utah between July 29 and August 1, 2025. It was the first time in 15 years that the AFO returned to the western US after holding meetings in the eastern US and in South America. Rebecka Brasso, Associate Professor at Weber State University and AFO’s current Vice President, was the local host.

We planned a diverse and exciting scientific program, paired with interesting special events (including an opening reception at Ogden’s historic Union Station!). We are thankful for the participation of the Western Bird Banding Association and Tracy Aviary through workshops and symposia, and the support of our sponsors including Avinet, Visit Ogden, who provided logistical support and street banners, and Pitta Tours, who organized fantastic field trips for our attendees.

Plenaries, talks and awards

Each morning began with an exciting plenary talk (by Drs. Mark E. Hauber, Gail Patricelli, and Ignacio “Kini” Roesler). Throughout the rest of the day, we had concurrent oral presentations (we had over 50 presentations!). Here is the online program if you want to take a peek. Researchers presented 25 posters on Wednesday evening.

Travel Awards were provided to 27 students and early career scientists to present their research at the conference. At the ending banquet, AFO councilors Allyson Jackson and Maureen McClung presented the Best Oral and Best Presentation awards, with an extra Best Oral Presentation honorable mention to the students below: 

These students received a pair of Vortex Viper binoculars, a pass to Tracy Aviary, an AFO hat, and a year membership to AFO. Congratulations, everyone!

Field trips

We had the fantastic opportunity to partner with Pitta Tours (who have been guiding in Utah and the mountain west for over 15 years, being named the Top Wildlife Tour in Salt Lake City) to bring our attendees a fantastic line-up of field trips options during and after the conference.

Workshops and special events

The conference had its fair share of special events, starting out with the previously mentioned opening reception at Ogden’s historic Union Station. There was a special Happy Hour and Silent Auction fundraiser for the Flocks initiative (with nearly 60 donated items ranging from books to paintings to guided tours that brought in over $3,200). We also had a Meet the Translator + book presentation event, where JFO’s co-Editor-in-Chief Rafael Rueda-Hernandez made an in-person launch of the Spanish edition of the Identification Guide to North American Birds, of which he was the translator.

AFO Council and future events

AFO held a Council Meeting on Tuesday afternoon prior to the conference, where we discussed how to continue improving our society. Conferences are always a great opportunity for all of us, who normally meet via Zoom, to catch up, meet in person, and work with a lot more fluidity than when we’re at home. We had representation of councilors from all over the US, Brazil, and Argentina. 

We thank all the councilors who volunteered to help out with registration and other tasks during the conference!

On the afternoon of the second day we also held an open Members’ Meeting, where we updated AFO members and conference attendees about all the work that the society is undertaking. At the Members’ Meeting we also announced our 2026 annual meeting, to be held jointly with the Wilson Ornithological Society between July 7-9, at the Salve Regina University campus in Newport, Rhode Island! Stay tuned for updates on our social media.

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Thank you!

We thank everyone for attending, our Vice President Rebecka Brasso for serving as local host, all the sponsors who supported us, Pitta Tours who made sure the field trips went well, each of the plenary speakers, and each of the presenters and Council members for being there. 

Until next year!