The New York State Ornithological Association Inc. (NYSOA) is not new.  It has worked to protect birds, and support people interested in birds, for over 50 years as the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs.  Many individuals from across the United States and Canada, as well as bird clubs around the state, are members.

If you join as an individual member, there are many benefits.  Members receive two publications.  The Kingbird is NYSOA’a quarterly journal where New York State birds sightings are documented.  NYSOA divides New York State into ten Regions for birding purposes.  A regional editor receives bird observations for the four seasons of the year from the birders in their region and sends them to the Kingbird editor for publication.  There is also a quarterly newsletter, New York Birders, that keeps members current on happenings such as conservation projects, field trips, and the annual publication of members’ State and County lists. 

NYSOA has an Annual Meeting one weekend every fall somewhere in New York State.  NYSOA follows both state and federal legislation related to preserving birds and their habitats.  Currently, one of NYSOA’s major projects is coordinating New York’s second Breeding Bird atlas project.  In 1998 NYSOA published Bull’s Birds of New York State, which documented the status, range, migration, and history of each species found in the state.  We also maintain and publish the Checklist of the Birds of New York State, which currently lists 460 species accepted by our Avian Records Committee as having occurred in the state.

Most important, as a member, you'll be helping to protect the birds and the environment in our region.

Please consider joining the New York State Ornithological Association as an individual member.  For more information, see the NYSOA website or contact Brenda Best, NYSOA Membership Chair, at