35-424: AOU may refer to: American Ornithologists' Union, former name of American Ornithological Society Apparent oxygen utilisation Arab Open University , private university Aou (trigraph) Age of Ultron , a 2013 series published by Marvel Comics Avengers: Age of Ultron , a 2015 superhero film of the same name by Marvel Studios Topics referred to by
70-550: A Student Affairs Committee in 2003. Several awards for students were created starting in 2005 as well as activities for students at annual meetings. Much of the AOS's work is accomplished by its thirty-three standing committees. Many of these are common for any organization such as Bylaws, History and Membership. Other committees are of special importance to ornithology. Spencer Fullerton Baird Spencer Fullerton Baird ( / ˈ b ɛər d / ; February 3, 1823 – August 19, 1887)
105-522: A career in ornithology. There are three higher classes of membership, Elective Member , Honorary Fellow and Fellow. Elective Members are selected "for significant contributions to ornithology and/or service to the Union." When elected, they must reside in the Western Hemisphere. A proposed Elective Member must be nominated by three Fellows or Elective Members and more than half of
140-742: A museum program for the Smithsonian, requesting that the organization focus on natural history in the United States. His program also allowed him to create a network of collectors through an exchange system. He asked that members of the Army and Navy collect rare animals and plant specimens from west of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico . In order to balance the collection, Baird sent duplicate specimens to other museums around
175-727: A self-trained naturalist as a young man, learning about the field from his brother, William, who was a birder , and the likes of John James Audubon , who instructed Baird on how to draw scientific illustrations of birds. His father was also a big influence on Baird's interest in nature, taking Baird on walks and gardening with him. He died of cholera when Baird was ten years old. As a young boy he attended Nottingham Academy in Port Deposit, Maryland and public school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania . Baird attended Dickinson College and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees, finishing
210-680: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages American Ornithological Society The American Ornithological Society ( AOS ) is an ornithological organization based in the United States. The society was formed in October 2016 by the merger of the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) and the Cooper Ornithological Society . Its members are primarily professional ornithologists, although membership
245-465: Is open to anyone with an interest in birds. The society publishes the two scholarly journals, Ornithology (formerly The Auk ) and Ornithological Applications (formerly The Condor ) as well as the AOS Checklist of North American Birds . The American Ornithological Society claims the authority to establish standardized English bird names throughout North and South Americas. In 2013,
280-592: Is today. Baird became the manager of the United States National Museum in 1872. Baird told George Perkins Marsh that he sought to be the director of the National Museum and that he had intentions to expand on the collections within the museum en masse. He was the primary writer of A History of North American Birds, which was published in 1874 and continues to be an important publication in ornithology today. He created all of
315-485: The Fellows and Elective Members must vote for the proposed member to be declared elected. Honorary Fellows are limited to 100 and are "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." Nominations for Honorary Fellow are by a special committee appointed by the president or any three Fellows. A vote of
350-419: The Fellows at an annual meeting is required for election as a Fellow . The quarterly journal, Ornithology (formerly The Auk ) , has been published since January 1884. The quarterly journal, Ornithological Applications (formerly The Condor ) , has been published since 1899. Other significant publications include the AOS Checklist of North American Birds , which is the standard reference work for
385-671: The United States and Mexican Boundary Survey . In 1855, he was elected to the American Philosophical Society . He received his Ph.D. in physical science in 1856 from Dickinson College. In 1857 and 1852 he acquired the collection of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science . However, the objects did not join the permanent collection of the Smithsonian until 1858. Baird attended
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#1732771892189420-640: The AOU announced that it was ceasing to operate as an independent union and was merging with the Cooper Ornithological Society to create the American Ornithological Society. In October 2023, the AOS announced that it was set to rename all bird species associated with individuals, aiming to eliminate names linked to figures with racist pasts. Aiming for more descriptive names based on habitat or physical features,
455-419: The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) announced a collaboration with the Cooper Ornithological Society, streamlining operations through joint meetings, a shared publishing office, and a reorientation of their journals. By October 2016, the AOU ceased its independent status, merging with the Cooper Ornithological Society to establish the unified American Ornithological Society. The American Ornithologists' Union
490-524: The February 1887, Baird went on leave due to "intellectual exertion". Samuel P. Langley served as Acting Secretary. Spencer Fullerton Baird died on August 19, 1887. Upon Baird's death, the Arts and Industries building was draped with a mourning cloth. John Wesley Powell spoke at Baird's funeral. Baird is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery . Baird's sparrow , a migratory bird native to Canada, Mexico and
525-490: The United States federal exhibits in the Centennial Exposition , many of which won awards. When the exposition ended, Baird was successful in persuading other exhibitors to contribute the objects from their exhibits to the Smithsonian. In total, Baird left with sixty-two boxcars filled with 4,000 cartons of objects. Owing to the large number of objects collected, in 1879, Congress approved construction for
560-679: The United States, is named after him. A medium-sized shorebird known as Baird's sandpiper is also named after him. Baird Auditorium in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is named in his honor. It is located on the National Mall side of the first floor of the museum. Baird's wife, Mary, donated his stamp collection to the National Museum. His papers are held in the Smithsonian Institution Archives . In 1946, Baird
595-408: The coast. Baird used the U.S. Fish Commission to limit human impact through a compromise by prohibiting the capture of fish in traps from 6pm on Fridays until 6pm on Mondays. The Albatross research vessel was launched during his tenure, in 1882. He was highly active in developing fishing and fishery policies for the United States, and was instrumental in making Woods Hole the research venue it
630-402: The commission sought opportunities to restock rivers with salmon and lakes with other food fish and the depletion of food fish in coastal waters. Baird reported that humans were the reason for the decline of food fish in these coastal areas. Individuals with access to shoreline property used weirs, or nets, to capture large amounts of fish on the coast, which threatened the supply of fish on
665-504: The country, often exchanging the duplicates for specimens the Smithsonian needed. During the 1850s he described over 50 new species of reptiles , some by himself, and others with his student Charles Frédéric Girard . Their 1853 catalog of the Smithsonian's snake collection is a benchmark work in North American herpetology. Baird also was a mentor to herpetologist Robert Kennicott who died prematurely, at which point Baird left
700-597: The field of herpetology to focus on larger projects. Eventually, he became the Assistant Secretary, serving under Joseph Henry . As assistant, Baird helped develop a publication and journal exchange, that provided scientists around the world with publications they would have a hard time accessing. He supported the work of William Stimpson , Robert Kennicott , Henry Ulke and Henry Bryant . Between his start as Assistant Secretary and 1855, he worked with Joseph Henry to provide scientific equipment and needs to
735-452: The field, and a monograph series, Ornithological Monographs . The AOS presents annual awards to recognize achievements and service, support research, and encourage student participation. The AOS recognizes members' outstanding contributions to ornithological science through four senior professional awards and three early professional awards: A decline in student membership in the AOU and other ornithological societies prompted creation of
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#1732771892189770-547: The first National Museum building, which is now the Arts and Industries Building . Joseph Henry died on May 13, 1878 and on May 17, Baird became the second Secretary of the Smithsonian. Baird was allowed to live, rent free, in the Smithsonian Institution Building, but declined and had the east wing converted into workspace. He also had telephones installed throughout the building. That year, he
805-584: The former in 1840. After graduation he moved to New York City with an interest in studying medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons . He returned to Carlisle two years later. He taught natural history at Dickinson starting in 1845. While at Dickinson, he did research, participated in collecting trips, did specimen exchanges with other naturalists, and traveled frequently. He married Mary Helen Churchill in 1846. In 1848, their daughter, Lucy Hunter Baird,
840-670: The funeral of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, alongside Joseph Henry. In 1870, Baird was vacationing in Woods Hole, Massachusetts , where he developed an interest in maritime research. He went on to lead expeditions in Nova Scotia and New England . On February 25, 1871, Ulysses S. Grant appointed Baird as the first Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for the United States Fish Commission . He served in this position until his death. With Baird as Commissioner,
875-530: The gathering as catholic and non-sectional as possible." Twenty-five responded to the letter and 21 were present at the first meeting. The founding convention was held in the library of the American Museum of Natural History on September 26, 1883. Founding members of the AOU include those present at the inaugural convention, listed below. In addition, the members of the new Union unanimously enrolled two others as founding members: Professor S. Baird , who
910-447: The majority of the Fellows present at an annual meeting is required for election. Each Fellow may vote affirmatively for as many as there are vacancies. Fellows are chosen "for exceptional and sustained contributions to ornithology and/or service to the Union" and must be residents or citizens of the Western Hemisphere when elected. Candidates must be an Honorary Fellow or Elective Member in good standing. A vote of two thirds of
945-779: The northeastern and central United States. Often traveling by foot, Baird hiked more than 2,100 miles in 1842 alone. In 1850, Baird became the first curator at the Smithsonian Institution and the Permanent Secretary for the American Association for the Advancement of Science , the latter which he served for three years. Upon his arrival in Washington, he brought two railroad box cars worth of his personal collection. Baird created
980-524: The renaming process would involve public input. Over 100 avian species across the Americas would undergo this change, with the move eliciting mixed reactions within the birding community. Regular membership in the AOS is open to any dues paying person with an interest in birds. Student rates are available for full-time students. Student Membership Awards of a no-cost membership are available to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue
1015-403: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title AOU . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AOU&oldid=1249265259 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
1050-656: The time of his death. He also served as the U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries from 1871 to 1887 and published over 1,000 works during his lifetime. Spencer Fullerton Baird was born in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1823. His mother was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family ; he was a nephew of Speaker of the Pennsylvania Senate Charles B. Penrose and a first cousin, once removed, of U.S. Senator Boies Penrose and his distinguished brothers, Richard , Spencer , and Charles . He became
1085-451: Was an American naturalist , ornithologist , ichthyologist , herpetologist , and museum curator . Baird was the first curator to be named at the Smithsonian Institution . He eventually served as assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian from 1850 to 1878, and as Secretary from 1878 until 1887. He was dedicated to expanding the natural history collections of the Smithsonian which he increased from 6,000 specimens in 1850 to over 2 million by
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1120-520: Was born. He was awarded a grant, in 1848, from the Smithsonian Institution to explore bone caves and the natural history of southeastern Pennsylvania . In 1849 he was given $ 75 by the Smithsonian Institution to collect, pack and transport specimens for them. It was during this time that he met Smithsonian Secretary Joseph Henry . The two became close friends and colleagues. Throughout the 1840s Baird traveled extensively throughout
1155-737: Was founded in 1883. Three members of the Nuttall Ornithological Club , Elliott Coues , J. A. Allen , and William Brewster , sent letters to 48 prominent ornithologists inviting them "to attend a Convention of American Ornithologists , to be held in New York City, beginning on September 26, 1883, for the purpose of founding an American Ornithologists' Union, upon a basis similar to that of the "British Ornithologists' Union." The addressees were selected mainly because of their "scientific standing, but somewhat with regard to geographical representation, it being desirable to make
1190-680: Was made a member of the Order of St. Olav by the King of Sweden. In 1880 Baird was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society He oversaw the building of the new National Museum building, which opened in 1881. In September 1883, he was unanimously declared a founding member of the American Ornithologists' Union even though his duties prevented him from attending their first convention. During
1225-464: Was unable to attend due to his duties at the Smithsonian , and J. A. Allen , who could not attend due to physical disability. In 2013, the American Ornithologists' Union announced a close partnership with the Cooper Ornithological Society, including joint meetings, a centralized publishing office, and a refocusing of their respective journals to increase efficiency of research. In October 2016,
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