About Chicago Ornithological Society

Who we are

The Chicago Ornithological Society, or COS, is a modern birding club that promotes the scientific and educational aspects of ornithology in the greater Chicago, Illinois area. Many COS members are serious birders, but the club's programs, field trips and birding classes and workshops appeal to and educate a broad spectrum of bird lovers, from the casual backyard feeder watcher to the fanatical lister. Birders of all levels participate in and enjoy COS's activities. COS is a charter member of the Bird Conservation Network (BCN), a coalition of organizations with an interest in the conservation of birds in northeastern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwestern Indiana.

By-Laws of the Chicago Ornithological Society

Monthly Programs

COS offers fascinating presentations on varied birding topics at its member meetings. Recent speakers include Ted Floyd, Vic Berardi, Stuart Strahl, and Geoffrey Williamson.

Field Trips

An extensive field trip schedule invites members to bird together throughout the year at local and national hotspots.

Members receive The Chicago Birder four times a year. The newsletter delivers targeted birding news relevant to Chicago birders, articles on birds and birding, site guides, and field trip and activity schedules. Members are encouraged to share their birding experience in the newsletter.

Educational Programs

COS conducts of range of educational programs to members and the public. These include "Introduction to Birding" classes to teach new birders the basics of the sport, beginning birder field trips, and classes focusing on birding skills. Recent classes have included Gull Identification, Shorebird Identification, Sparrow Identifcation and Warbler Identification.

Conservation

The conservation of birds is of special concern to COS as a Society, as well as to individual members. COS is active in support of habitat protection and restoration in the Chicago area and statewide. COS is also a charter member of the Bird Conservation Network, a coalition of organizations and individuals active in bird conservation issues in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding area.

Media Library

COS members have borrowing privileges from COS's media library. The collection includes videos and magazines of interest to birders.

Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts

COS provides an electronic mailing list called IBET, Illinois Birders Exchanging Thoughts, for the discussion of birds and birding in Illinois. Started by COS member Sue Friscia, this listserve quickly attracted subscribers from around the state. Now over 350 birders rapidly exchange information and sightings over the internet.