Ornithological Society of New Zealand

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.

Birds New Zealand
Formation24 May 1940; 84 years ago (1940-05-24)
TypeNon-profit
PurposeOrnithological research
Location
  • New Zealand
Websitewww.birdsnz.org.nz

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

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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

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The aims[4] of the OSNZ are to:

  • encourage, organise and promote the study of birds and their habitat use, particularly within the New Zealand region.
  • foster and support the wider knowledge and enjoyment of birds generally.
  • promote the recording and wide circulation of the results of bird studies and observations.
  • produce a journal and other publication containing matters of ornithological interest.
  • effect co-operation and exchange of information with other organisations with similar aims and objectives.
  • assist the conservation and management of birds by providing information from which sound management decisions can be derived.
  • maintain a library of ornithological literature for the use of members and to promote a wider knowledge of birds.
  • promote the archiving of observations, studies and records of birds, particularly in the New Zealand region.
  • carry out any other activity which is capable of being conveniently carried out in connection with the above objects, or which directly or indirectly advances those objects or any of them.

Notornis

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Notornis
DisciplineOrnithology
LanguageEnglish
Edited byCraig Symes
Publication details
Former name(s)
New Zealand Bird Notes
History1943–present
Publisher
Ornithological Society of New Zealand
FrequencyQuarterly
Standard abbreviations
ISO 4Notornis
Indexing
CODENNTNSAN
ISSN0029-4470
LCCN67050854
Links

Notornis is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal that focuses on bird-based research in New Zealand and the South Pacific. It has been published since 1943.[5]

New Zealand Bird Atlas

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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

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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

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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

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  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. ^ a b "Trust Chair wins prestigious award". West Coast Penguin Trust. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
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