Category: Journal of Field Ornithology
AFO-SCO-WOS 2024 joint meeting recap
Welcome! Between July 29 and August 1, 2024, AFO held its annual meeting jointly with its sister societies, the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists in Peoria, Illinois. Nothing like three full days of fabulous research, learning, and camaraderie to unite and strengthen our ornithological community! Plenaries and talks Each date began with […] Read More
Annual members meeting (virtual) on May 14, 2024
Please join us for the annual AFO Members Meeting next month on Tuesday, May 14th from 2-3:30pm Eastern Time. We have an informative agenda that will update members on recent AFO accomplishments. Following the meeting we will be treated to a fun presentation by AFO Communications and Marketing Specialist, Agustina Torretta. She will present: “Saffron-cowled Blackbird Project: A translator’s gateway to the conservation world.” Read More
Use of acoustic monitoring to estimate occupancy of the Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae), a critically endangered species, in San Pedro de los Milagros, Antioquia
The Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae) is a range restricted bird limited to a plateau in the Central Andes of Colombia, just 45 minutes from the city of Medellín, Colombia. This species was described in 2007 by a British ornithologist based on three museum specimens collected in 1971 by the brothers of a Christian organization committed […] Read More
What’s on the menu? Exploring diet across two European Hawfinch populations
Understanding the diet of a species can help us see how they interact within the ecosystem in which they live. Having knowledge of what an organism is eating can tell us a lot about the survival, reproduction success, and overall fitness of that organism. Focusing on birds more specifically, having a high level of knowledge […] Read More
When small is big – Habitat requirements of three Owlet species and their conservation in Central India
Imagine discovering an Owl so small that it was called an Owlet which later became extinct for over a century! That’s precisely what happened with the Forest Owlet, a small owl species found in Central India. In 1872, a specimen was collected by F. R. Blewitt and subsequently described by Hume in 1873. However, the […] Read More
Video nest monitoring to aid recovery of island birds
The conservation of birds on oceanic islands is particularly challenging. These species may have inherently small population sizes, inhabit limited ranges, and be vulnerable to changes in the predator community. As explorers and settlers inevitably arrived, they altered habitats and introduced new predatory species. These changes led to drastic reductions, and occasional extinctions, in island […] Read More
How ringing data can help improve geolocator studies
Thanks to their light weight, multi-sensor geolocators are ideally suited to study the migration patterns of smaller birds. Indeed, while GPS trackers provide accurate data, their cost is prohibitive and their weight still restricts their use to larger birds (100grams and above). Read More
Post-fledging ecology of endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers
Ever since I was a child I’ve had a passion for wildlife conservation, especially endangered species. It was almost too good to be true, then, when I started my thesis work on an endangered avian species that was endemic to Texas, the Golden-cheeked Warbler. The University of Illinois provided this research connection in collaboration with the Fort Hood Military Installation, which holds one of the largest Golden-cheeked Warbler populations... Read More
