Special Membership Categories
The American Ornithologists' Union has three classes of special membership. Individuals are elected to these categories in recognition of their contributions to ornithology and to the AOU. The following are descriptions of these classes as given in Article I of the Bylaws of the American Ornithologists' Union.
Honorary Fellows shall be limited to 100. They shall be chosen for exceptional ornithological eminence and must at the time of their election be residents of a country other than the United States of America or Canada.
Fellows shall be chosen for exceptional and sustained contributions to ornithology and/or service to the Union. Fellows at the time of their election shall be Honorary Fellows, or Elective Members in good standing who are residents or citizens of a political subdivision of the Western Hemisphere.
Elective Members shall be chosen for significant contributions to ornithology and/or service to the Union. Elective Members at the time of their election shall be Members in good standing who are residents or citizens of a political subdivision of the Western Hemisphere.
Members who have been elected to any of these categories are identified by special membership codes in The Flock, the membership directory of the Ornithological Societies of North America (OSNA). Lists of the names of individuals in these special membership categories are available in PDF format, and can be viewed or printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the appropriate category below to download a specific list. If you are unable to download these lists, they are available in various electronic formats or as hard copies; contact the AOU Secretary (), indicating your requirements.
- Honorary Fellows (PDF, 16KB)
- Fellows (PDF, 32KB)
- Elective Members (PDF, 40KB)
Newly Elected Fellows and Elective Members for 2012
Honorary Fellow: Professor Regina Macedo (Universidade de Brasília, Brasília) and Andrei V. Zinoviev (Tver State University, Russia)
Fellow: David E. Andersen, María Coro Arizmendi, Rauri C.K. Bowie, Daniel A. Cristol, Hugh Drummond, John P. Dumbacher, James R. Herkert, Steven L. Lima, Kevin G. McCracken, Scott R. McWilliams, Bruce G. Peterjohn, Pamela J. Pietz, Jeffrey Podos, Abby N. Powell, Christopher C. Rimmer, W. Douglas Robinson, Ricardo Rodriguez-Estrella, Jean-Pierre L. Savard, Mark T. Stanback, and Tony D. Williams
Elective Member: Melissa S. Bowlin, Christopher J. Butler, Renée A. Duckworth, Bruce D. Dugger, Katie M. Dugger, John P. McCarty, Timothy J. O’Connell, Brian J. Olsen, Michael A. Schroeder, Margaret A. Voss, and Noah K. Whiteman
Nomination Procedures
Nominations for Honorary Fellow are made by the Committee on Nomination of Honorary Fellows, and subsequently voted on by the Fellows at their annual meeting. However, suggestions for individuals deserving of such election can be made to the chair of this committee.
Nominations for Fellows and Elective Members are made by current Fellows and Elective Members, following the Instructions for Nominations. However, nominations are also generated by the Committee on Nomination of Fellows and Elective Members, and suggestions for individuals deserving of such election can be made to the chair of this committee.
Information on general and student memberships is available on the Membership page.