In 1905, the National Audubon Society was named for ornithologist and naturalist John J. Audubon. Its mission is "to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity." The "Audubon" magazine, published by the National Audubon Society, has an online presence with a fantastic Multimedia...

This site showcases more than 170 lovely eighteenth- and nineteenth-century ornithological illustrations from books and art works included in or loaned to the Cornell University Library's Hill Ornithology Collection. Users can navigate the online exhibition via a collection of pull-down menus "organized by illustration technique, each with an introduction explaining the technique and also listing...

Concerns about the world's biodiversity are not new, but the BirdLife International organization has taken on an important challenge by documenting the state of the world's birds via the important research papers featured on this site. The news they offer is not terribly encouraging, but these documents will be important tools for anyone interested in these pressing issues. The primary work here...

New research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology points to acid rain as a major cause of songbird decline, where previous research focused on forest fragmentation. Along with a press release and a downloadable Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) version of the entire study, the site includes other ornithological resources, news items, and information about the lab.

A Cornell Lab of Ornithology creation, this All About Birds website provides birders with a wealth of resources. The website features a first-rate online bird guide with photos, songs and calls, range maps, and information on reproduction, behavior, habitat, and more. The site's Birding 1, 2, 3 program offers instructions for identifying birds, where to go birding, and how to report observations...

This Web site is the online companion to Extraordinary Birds, a recent documentary from PBS's Nature. "From Kundha Kulam's vibrant monsoon marshes to the rugged American Rockies," Extraordinary Birds explores the "intimate links that people have forged with birds." This is a great site to visit whether you've seen the program or not. Users will find video clips, an interview with the editor of...

The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) was established in 1883, making it "the oldest and largest organization in the New World devoted to the scientific study of birds." Although primarily "a professional organization, its membership of about 4,000 includes many amateurs dedicated to the advancement of ornithological science." The AOU website contains information about membership, upcoming...