The Godman Salvin Prize is awarded by BOU Council to an individual as a signal honour for distinguished ornithological work.

Nominations are currently closed. The call for nominations normally runs from June to September each year. When open, you will be able to make nominations via this page.

The names behind the award

Fredrick DuCane Godman (1834-1919) and Osbert Salvin (1835-1898) were renowned ornithologists and among the founding members of the BOU. They collaborated throughout much of their careers, including a project to document the fauna and flora of Central America – the monumental Biologia Centrali-Americana (1879–1915). Both Godman and Salvin were Fellows of the Royal Society, the Linnean, and Zoological Society, among others. Godman was president of the BOU from 1896-1913 and both held the position of secretary. Salvin also served as editor of IBIS.

Criteria

Nominees will have made an outstanding contribution over their career to ornithology. Their contribution could be through:

• scientific research
• application of science to practical conservation
• scientific monitoring
• management/curation of open access data sets
• dissemination of science
• public awareness of science.

This award is open to any ornithologist and they are not required to be a BOU member.

The award

Recipients receive an engraved Godman Salvin Prize medal, presented at a BOU or other agreed conference, and an award citation will be published in IBIS.

Award frequency

Nominations are sought annually, though the prize may not be awarded annually if suitable nominations are not received.

Previous recipients

2025 Bob Furness Read IBIS citation

2024 P. Dee Boersma Read IBIS citation
2023 Cao Lei Read IBIS citation
2022 Nicholas B. Davies Read IBIS citation
2020 Theunis Piersma Read IBIS citation
2018 Kathy Martin Read IBIS citation
2017 Pat Monaghan Read IBIS citation
2016 Tim R. Birkhead Read IBIS citation
2015 Sarah Wanless Read IBIS citation
2013 Rob J. Fuller Read IBIS citation
2010 Ian Newton Read IBIS citation
2009 Rhys Green Read IBIS citation
2006 Mike P. Harris Read IBIS citation
2004 John P. Croxall Read IBIS citation
1999 G.R. (Dick) Potts
1996 Peter R. Evans
1995 Ernst Mayr
1992 John C. Coulson
1991 Derek A. Ratcliffe
1990 George M. Dunnet
1988 Chris M. Perrins
1982 David W. Snow
1977 Vero C. Wynne-Edwards
1971 Sir Julian S. Huxley
1969 Nikolaas (Niko) Tinbergen
1968 W. H. Thorpe
1966 R. E. Moreau
1962 E. M. Nicholson
1959 D. L. Lack, Sir A. Landsborough Thomson
1951 R. Meinertzhagen
1946 P. R. Lowe
1938 H. F. Witherby
1936 H. Lynes
1930 W. L. Sclater
1929 E. Hartert
1922 W. E. Clarke