British Ornithologists' Union

The British Ornithologists ' Union ( BOU ) was established on 9 December 1858 by 20 scientists, including Alfred Newton, Henry Maurice Drummond -Hay and Henry Baker Tristram. It is named after the German Ornithologists' Society ( founded in 1850 ) is the second oldest ornithological organization. It supports most scientists and bird watchers at her bird studies and thus contributes to the study of birds and their conservation. Since 1859 the journal Ibis brings out the BOU. This journal is published quarterly and is one of the leading bird journals. Many bird species have been described and illustrated here for the first time, including John Gerrard Keulemans. Since 2002 Ibis Online is available through Blackwell Publishing. Another publication of the BOU is the List of Birds of Great Britain (formerly List of British Birds). It is published since 1883 and lists all occurring in the UK bird species.

The tasks of the BOU is the Organisation of regular meetings, seminars and conferences, where bird watchers and ornithologists can inform others about the worldwide activities are. The headquarters of the BOU is located on the grounds of the Natural History Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire.

President of the BOU

The current president since 2011 Jenny Gill.