IOCongress® 2026
Mérida, Yucatán, México
29th International Ornithological Congress® (IOCongress®)
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House Sparrow. © S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
November 30 – December 5, 2026
Members only:
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10% Book discounts
Pelagic Publishing, Holland Publishers and Rosemary Low offer discounts: pdf
Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) singing © S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
Pronunciation Guide
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Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) singing © S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
Now!

Free access to the IOU pronunciation guide for scientific bird names. Just search for the name of interest and replay the result as spoken word.

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International Ornithologists' Union (IOU)
© Vanessa Burger
The Future of Birds

“Planet earth is in a global biodiversity and environmental crisis. Ornithologists and Fellows of the International Ornithologist’ Union Professor Lucia Severinghaus and Professor Yossi Leshem are featured in “The Future of Birds” documentary film by Jocelyn Demers. They join the many voices from ornithologists, scientists, birders and others around the world in a shared concern for birds and help us to understand the crucial role that birds play in the interconnectedness of the global natural world, why we need to be concerned and what can be done”

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Short-eared Owl (Asia flammeus) © S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
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© Vanessa Burger
We now are happy to welcome you on our relaunched webpage. A new design and new functions and forms are awaiting our members now. More to come!
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The IOU is back online!
© S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
Follow us on social media to get latest information!
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© S. Rösner | pixeldiversity
Join our network of scientists, enthusiasts and specialists !
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Our working groups
© S. Rösner | pixeldiversity

The International Ornithologists' Union offers:

IOUOrnithology is a global discipline addressing all levels of avian biology in birds from ecosystems to molecules, linking basic and applied research, and nurturing education and outreach. The IOU seeks to support, promote, and advance avian biology.

Working groups

Specialists offer a variety of knowledge and organize meetings.. Apply to join the group of your interest.

IOU forums

All members of the IOU have free access to the new forum. Here, you can discuss recent research, ask questions on field work, methods, conservation, issues, ...

IOCongress®

The IOU is hosting the International Ornithological Congresses (#IOCongress) on a 4-years turnus. We will inform members about all details ...

Latest Blog Posts

04 Nov

Webinar series: International Union of Biological Sciences

To commemorate the completion of 100 years of promoting excellence in biological sciences, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) launched a webinar series. The fourth lecture in this series is by Yvon Le Maho, emeritus Director of Research CNRS at the University of Strasbourg and Monaco Scientific Centre. Renuka Badhe, Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board will be moderating the session.

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29 Sep

Editor search: IOU Flutter

As the recent International Ornithological Congress (IOCongress2022), August 15-19, 2022, demonstrated, interest in birds and in research and conservation in ornithology and avian biology is at an all-time high and reaches into the far corners of the globe. The IOU newsletter The Flutter is part of the IOU’s multipronged efforts in supporting and interconnecting the global community of ornithologists.

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08 Mar

American Bird Conservancy : Webinar

There is a lot we can do individually to help birds, especially during migration when collision rates are even higher. In this webinar, bird collisions experts will provide practical advice and demonstrations on preventing crashes at home, as well as tips to advocate for safer, bird-friendly policies in your community.

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22 Feb

IOU Flutter Vol 3 (3)

A new issue of the Flutter – the IOU Newsletter – has appeared. You will find new information about the IOCongress 2022, a message from the president, and many contributions by our editor! 

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