What's new at BOW: Bird species updates, partnerships & emerging strategies

New! Read on for science news and updates from Birds of the World (BOW). (Not interested? Opt out of future news.)

Meet the Temminck's Courser

Temminck's Courser by Chris Venetz/Macaulay LIbrary

Temminck's Courser in Tendaba Camp Lower River, Gambia by Chris Venetz / Macaulay Library

In 2023, we announced a unique publishing partnership between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, publishers of the landmark Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, the leading ornithological reference work for southern Africa. The publishing team is working diligently, and all newly developed "Roberts 8" content can be found in Birds of the World. Temminck's Courser, above, is just one of the comprehensive and richly illustrated species accounts now available.

Explore other recent Birds of the World updates!

These accounts will remain open access for 30 days.

Black-vented Shearwater

Puffinus opisthomelas

Rufous-chested Dotterel

Zonibyx

modestus

Chilean Pigeon

Patagioenas araucana

Eurasian Moorhen

Gallinula

chloropus

Common Miner

Geositta cunicularia

Udzungwa Partridge

Xenoperdix udzungwensis

View All Recent Updates

Birds of the World: emerging strategies for greater ornithological impact

Birds of the World is expanding beyond its origin as a purely digital monograph series to become a dynamic, data-driven resource that better serves our readers and meets an urgent need for targeted bird conservation. We believe these programs and enhancements–while staying rooted in the narrative life histories people enjoy–will help meet the complex demands of modern ornithology while remaining the world's most comprehensive and authoritative source for avian life histories. Learn more about these exciting initiatives!

Birds of the Worlds Discovery Seminars

September 18: Join us for our next online seminar: Searching for Lost Birds: rediscoveries, extinctions, and finding hope for other species featuring John Mittermeier (Search for Lost Birds Director) and Alex Berryman (Sr. Red List Officer, BirdLife). Please check our schedule for details and registration.

Previously: Watch experts discuss the new AviList.

Future seminars: Sign up to be notified about upcoming BOW Discovery Seminars.

Featured contributor

Vicente Pantoja-Maggi is a Chilean ornithologist and conservationist who works with Red de Observadores de Aves y Vida Silvestre de Chile (ROC). He is keenly involved in both eBird and Birds of the World and has made significant contributions to both projects. Learn more about Vicente! Read more.

Around the web

See who is using Birds of the World for research and conservation.

AvianLexiconAtlas: A database of descriptive categories of English-language bird names around the world. Morrison ES, Pandolfi GP, Aguillon SM, Ali JR, Archard O, Baldassarre DT, et al. (2025). PLoS One 20(6): e0325890.
Life history and nesting traits reflect urban tolerance in coastal birds.
Jennings, SL, Garrison, EM, and Francis, CD. (2025) Royal Society 12 (6).

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