Membership of the BOU is open to anyone interested in ornithology.

Concessionary membership is available to individuals who are not eligible for ECR or LMIC membership but for whom the standard fee presents a financial barrier. This may include, but not be limited to, individuals in short-term contracts, those in between roles and / or not currently in employment.

The BOU operates this category on a trust basis. We rely on members to self-declare eligibility honestly. The BOU reserves the right to query status where there is evidence of ineligibility.

Concessionary member rates

£25 / year – Single credit/debit card payment see here

Concessionary member benefits

Concessionary members enjoy the same benefits as other membership types, including:

• IBIS online – the BOU’s international journal of avian science, with access to all issues back to 1859. Over 150 years of ornithology!
• Discount on selected Wiley books
• Access (with other BOU members) to BOU Small Ornithological Grant scheme
• Exclusive member rates for BOU conferences

IBIS – the international journal of avian science

IBIS publishes original articles, reviews, short communications and forum articles at the forefront of international ornithological science, with special emphasis on the behaviour, ecology, evolution and conservation of birds and relevant methodological advances. IBIS aims to publish as rapidly as is consistent with the requirements of peer-review and normal publishing constraints.

Over 150 years of ornithological publishing now online

IBIS has been published continuously since 1859 and all online content is available to members and institutes – thats over 150 years of ornithology at your fingertips!

Plus online supplementary material
One of the great benefits of online publication is that you can include all manner of supporting items that you can’t include in a paper journal – additional data and supporting research, video, sound files, etc.

Online subscribers are able to view a wide range of supplementary material hosted online for many IBIS papers. Over 50% of papers now carry supplementary material.

Other membership options

Ordinary member
Includes online only access to IBIS and many benefits.

Early-career researcher member
A reduced-rate subscription includes online only access to IBIS and many other benefits.

Low- or middle-income country member
Includes an online subscription to IBIS.