Cornell Lab of Ornithology
What is the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology?
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology conducts research, aids bird conservation, educates students and the public, and involves ordinary citizens in science.
The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is a research laboratory of Cornell University. The lab is located in the Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity, in Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, Ithaca, New York. Though the laboratory pursues research in various areas of biological diversity and conservation, the focus of the institution is research on birds.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit organization supported by members and sponsors. The lab is affiliated with the National Audubon Society and other organizations involved with studying and protecting birds, and serves as a source of reliable and current information about the world’s birds in academic journals, periodicals, and an internet website. Some parts of the building and the trails in the surrounding grounds are open to the public.
With respect to birds, the lab pursues four main areas of activity—research, citizen science, education, and conservation:
- Research—scientific research into conservation of threatened bird species, bird populations and distributions, breeding success, bird song, and other issues are the core of the lab's activities. Research is also being pursued on other animal species.
- Citizen Science—The laboratory encourages active birders to contribute their observations, knowledge, and experience to the knowledge acquired through scientific study. Projects in which citizen scientists of any age or profession can participate are ongoing and, in cooperation with the National Audubon Society, the lab maintains the eBird internet database, an electronic database where citizen scientist birders can enter their observations.
- Education—Providing education is a vital part of the laboratory’s mandate. Staff and faculty at the lab publish in the scientific literature, provide resources for teachers, offer courses in bird identification, natural history, bird calls etc., give seminars and lectures, and provide interpretation in the public areas of the Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity in Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary.
- Conservation—Research done at the lab contributes to the design of bird conservation projects. Staff members participate in conservation in various capacities and provide information to organizations and individuals who deal with bird conservation issues.
Anyone can become a member of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (there is an annual membership fee). Members receive a newsletter and a quarterly print magazine, as well as discounts on courses and products. Many of the resources on the internet, such as an online bird identification guide and the eBird database are available to nonmembers free of charge.
Visit the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology online.
Other birding resources:
Identify European Birds Online
