Ornithological Society of New Zealand

Last updated

Birds New Zealand
Formation24 May 1940;83 years ago (1940-05-24)
TypeNon-profit
PurposeOrnithological research
Location
  • New Zealand
Website www.birdsnz.org.nz

The Ornithological Society of New Zealand (OSNZ), also known as Birds New Zealand, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the study of birds and their habitats in the New Zealand region. Founded in 1940, it caters to a wide variety of people interested in the birds of the region, from professional ornithologists to casual birdwatchers.

Contents

The Society publishes a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal, Notornis, and a quarterly news magazine, Birds New Zealand [1] (formerly Southern Bird). It also organises membership-based scientific projects, such as the Atlas of Bird Distribution in New Zealand.

History

Following preliminary discussions in 1938 and 1939, the Society was formally established at an inaugural general meeting chaired by Robert Falla at Canterbury Museum on 24 May 1940. It became an incorporated body in January 1953. [2] [3]

Aims

The aims [4] of the OSNZ are to:

Notornis

New Zealand Bird Atlas

The society oversees the New Zealand Bird Atlas, a citizen science project using observers all over the country to record the presence of birds. The project to undertake the fourth update of the bird atlas was launched at the society's 2019 annual conference. [6]

Annual conference

The society holds an annual conference that provides an opportunity for amateur and professional ornithologists to meet and present recent research findings. The conference programme typically includes field trips. [7]

Award

The society grants the Robert Falla Memorial Award to people "who have made a significant contribution to both the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and to New Zealand ornithology". [8] [9] [10]

Notable members

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References

  1. "Birds New Zealand magazine". Birds New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  2. Gill, B.J.; & Heather, B.D. (1990). A Flying Start. Commemorating 50 years of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, 1940–1990. Random Century and OSNZ: Auckland. ISBN   1-86941-080-7
  3. "The Ornithological Society of New Zealand Incorporated". New Zealand Business Number. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  4. "About us". Birds New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. "Notornis". Birds New Zealand. Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. "New Zealand Bird Atlas launches in Wellington". RNZ. 1 June 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  7. "2023 New Zealand Bird Conference". Science Learning Hub. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  8. Medway, David (June 2002). "Robert Falla Memorial Award" (PDF). Southern Bird (10): 2–3. ISSN   1175-1916. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  9. "Awards - OSNZ AGM 2012". Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Trust Chair wins prestigious award". West Coast Penguin Trust. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2017.