The Ornithological Council is a consortium of scientific ornithological societies.

We provide extensive resources and support for ornithologists, including:

The Guidelines for the Use of Wild Birds in Research
A Guide to the Processes and Procedures for Importing Bird Products into the United State for Scientific Research and Display
The Ornithology Exchange, an online community for and about ornithology

RECENT OC NEWS:

  • New edition of the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research now available
    The Ornithological Council has released a new edition of its foundational publication, the Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research. The 4th edition incorporates text from the 3rd edition (published in 2010) with list of new references published since that edition’s release. The Guidelines provides an in-depth guide to the animal welfare considerations … Read more
  • OC comments on USFWS permit changes
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously announced proposed revisions to their regulations governing migratory bird and eagle permits. The proposed changes span several sections of regulations and several permit types, modifying five existing regulatory authorizations (situations where a permit is not necessary) and proposing several new regulatory authorizations. The Ornithological Council submitted comments on … Read more
  • The OC comments on USFWS migratory bird exhibit proposal
    The Ornithological Council submitted comments on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to update its regulation regarding the exhibition of migratory birds and eagles. Currently, the agency regulates the exhibition of migratory birds under a Special Purpose Possession Live permit (through FWS Form 3–200–10c, issued under 50 CFR 21.95) and the exhibition of bald … Read more