Exploring the legacy of the Cooper Ornithological Society and its 2016 honorary members who shaped avian science
For ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike, the year 2016 marked a significant transition in the world of bird research. After 123 years of pioneering work, the Cooper Ornithological Society (COS), one of America's oldest and most respected ornithological organizations, merged with the American Ornithologists' Union to form what we now know as the American Ornithological Society (AOS) 1 . This merger represented both an end and a new beginning—a moment to honor traditions while embracing future collaborations.
In its final year of independent operation, the Society continued its long-standing practice of recognizing exceptional contributions to the field through its Honorary Member awards. These awards celebrated individuals who had demonstrated outstanding service, mentorship, and dedication to advancing our understanding of birds—a fitting tribute to a society that had itself contributed so profoundly to ornithology.
The Cooper Ornithological Society's aims were "the scientific study of birds, the dissemination of ornithological knowledge, the encouragement and spread of interest in the study of birds, and the conservation of birds and wildlife in general" 1 . Through these final honorary awards, the Society reaffirmed these values one last time before joining its wings with another organization.
Founded in 1893 in California, the Cooper Ornithological Society (originally named the Cooper Ornithological Club) commemorated James Graham Cooper, an early California biologist who made significant contributions to the state's natural history 1 . For over a century, the Society served as a cornerstone of ornithological research and communication, publishing two influential scientific publications: The Condor journal and the Studies in Avian Biology monograph series (formerly Pacific Coast Avifauna) 1 .
Years of Ornithological Excellence
The Society also presented the annual Loye and Alden Miller Research Award, recognizing lifetime achievement in ornithological research 1 . This award, like the Honorary Member awards, celebrated the profound individual contributions that collectively advance our understanding of avian science. True to its mission, the Society worked not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to encourage public interest in birds and their conservation—a mission that continues through its successor organization.
In 2016, the Cooper Ornithological Society recognized two distinguished ornithologists as Honorary Members, continuing a tradition that stretched back to 1886 5 .
Institutional Affiliation: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
Primary Contributions: Noted ornithological research; extensive service to COS; significant contributions to the field of avian biology
Institutional Affiliation: University of Oklahoma
Primary Contributions: Distinguished ornithological research; substantial service to COS; important advancements in avian studies
These honorees joined a prestigious lineage of recognition that included some of the most influential names in ornithology history. The Honorary Member award, which began in the Society's early years, represented one of the oldest awards in ornithology 5 . When the societies merged in 2016, this tradition was preserved through the newly established Peter R. Stettenheim Service Award in the American Ornithological Society, ensuring that future ornithologists would continue to be recognized for their service contributions 5 .
The Cooper Ornithological Society's Honorary Member Award recognized far more than just research excellence. While scientific discovery remained central to the Society's mission, this particular honor celebrated something equally vital yet sometimes less visible: sustained service, mentorship, and community building.
Volunteer contributions and committee participation
Guiding the next generation of ornithologists
Building collaborative scientific networks
According to the American Ornithological Society's description of the award that succeeded it, this recognition celebrated members who "may have served in elected or appointed positions, but also emphasizes volunteer contributions, mentoring, and committee participation" 5 . This holistic view of scientific contribution acknowledged that advancing ornithology requires not only new discoveries but also nurturing the community that makes those discoveries possible.
The preservation of this award through the AOS renaming speaks to its enduring importance. The newly established Peter R. Stettenheim Service Award was created specifically "to carry on the tradition of the Cooper Ornithological Society's Cooper Honorary Member Award" 5 , ensuring that these forms of scientific service would continue to be valued and recognized in the merged society.
The work represented by honorees like Cicero and Kelly encompasses diverse research approaches that have expanded our understanding of bird biology, ecology, and conservation.
Studying evolutionary relationships, population genetics, and species boundaries among birds through DNA analysis.
Tracking migration patterns and understanding food webs through chemical signatures in feathers and tissues.
Studying bird communication, identifying species through calls, and monitoring populations through sound analysis.
Monitoring bird movements, habitat use, and migration routes with attached transmitters and tracking systems.
This multifaceted approach to research exemplifies why ornithology has remained such a dynamic field. As one science writing guide explains, "Select the article's peg judiciously because every science experiment does not have direct implications for society. Try focusing on something groundbreaking – a study or discovery whose findings are evidently newsworthy and which implies significant change, at least in the way we perceive the world" 3 . The work of honorary members often represents precisely this type of groundbreaking science with broad implications.
Modern ornithologists employ a variety of sophisticated techniques to uncover mysteries of avian life.
| Research Tool/Solution | Primary Function | Application in Ornithology |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Sequencing Reagents | DNA extraction and analysis | Studying evolutionary relationships, population genetics, and species boundaries among birds |
| Stable Isotope Analysis | Tracing geographical origins | Tracking migration patterns and understanding food webs through chemical signatures in feathers and tissues |
| Radio Telemetry Systems | Tracking individual movements | Monitoring bird movements, habitat use, and migration routes with attached transmitters |
| Morphometric Measurement Tools | Quantifying physical characteristics | Documenting physical variations within and between species, including adaptations to different environments |
| Bioacoustic Recording Equipment | Capturing and analyzing vocalizations | Studying bird communication, identifying species through calls, and monitoring populations through sound |
Revealing evolutionary relationships and population structures through advanced DNA sequencing techniques.
Using GPS and radio telemetry to monitor bird movements across vast distances with unprecedented precision.
Analyzing bird vocalizations to understand communication, behavior, and population distribution.
The recognition of exemplary scientists like the 2016 Honorary Members represents more than just personal achievement—it reinforces the values and standards of the entire scientific community. By honoring those who contribute not only through research but also through service, mentoring, and community building, scientific societies like the Cooper Ornithological Society help maintain a culture of collaboration and support that benefits all researchers, especially those early in their careers.
Recognition encourages continued excellence and innovation in research methodologies and discoveries.
Award systems foster networks of collaboration and knowledge sharing across institutions and generations.
This tradition continues today through the American Ornithological Society's Peter R. Stettenheim Service Award, named for an "enthusiastic leader of both the American Ornithologists' Union and the Cooper Ornithological Society who served in society governance and contributed in many ways to advance ornithology" 5 . Stettenheim was himself recognized as an Honorary Member in 1985 5 , creating a meaningful connection between the past and present of ornithological recognition.
As one ornithology guide notes, clear scientific communication and recognition of contributions help "encourage dialogue between scientists" 2 . This dialogue, fostered through both formal publications and informal mentoring, enables the field to advance more effectively than any scientist could achieve alone.
Though the Cooper Ornithological Society now exists as part of the larger American Ornithological Society, its legacy continues to influence ornithology today. The values it championed—rigorous research, effective communication, dedicated service, and community mentorship—remain essential to the field's health and progress.
The recognition of Carla Cicero and Jeffrey F. Kelly as the final Honorary Members of the Society represents both a culmination of a long tradition and a bridge to new forms of recognition in the merged society. Their work, and that of the many Honorary Members who preceded them, has helped build our current understanding of birds and ensures that future generations will continue to benefit from both their scientific discoveries and their community contributions.
As we look to future challenges in bird conservation and research, this tradition of recognizing service alongside scholarship reminds us that science advances not just through individual brilliance, but through sustained collaboration, mentorship, and community building—the very values that the Cooper Ornithological Society championed throughout its 123-year history and which continue to guide ornithology today.