Ornithology and bird conservation in North America - a Canadian perspective

• Published in: Bird study 2003-11, Vol.50 (3), p.211-222
• Main Author: Cooke, Fred
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: American Ornithologist's Union; AOU; Aves; Bird Studies Canada; BSC; Canada; conservation; history; museum; North America; Ornithology; research topics; SCO; United States; USA; wildlife management
• ISSN: 0006-3657; 1944-6705
• DOI: 10.1080/00063650309461315

Capsule A comparison between North American and European ornithology shows many differences between the two. While local knowledge was developed over millennia in Europe, in North America much was originally learned from the indigenous people. Knowing the food value of wild game was essential to survival and led to a strong tradition of wildlife management in North America. However, there was also systematic exploration of the local avifauna by museum-based collectors. This dual origin of ornithology is still detectable today. North American ornithology, particularly through the introduction of the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1917, is strongly influenced by federal, state and provincial governments who have a statutory responsibility for the protection of wild birds. Because the USA and Canada, and more recently Mexico, are responsible for the administration of the Act, many initiatives in bird conservation involve international co-operation, starting initially with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, but now extended to all species of birds. Many partnerships involving government, professional and amateur ornithologists (e.g. Bird Studies Canada) have resulted in monitoring of bird populations similar to that done by the BTO. However, there still seems to be a paucity of population studies and survey information in the mainstream ornithological journals in North America.