AVICULTURAL SOCIETY AWARDS SCHEME
The information below is presented in three sections:
- The Avicultural Society’s current award scheme.
- A summary of awards previously available since the foundation of the Society.
- Funding opportunities available from the Society.
The medal for first UK breeding is available only to UK members of the Society. The Ezra Award and President’s Medal may be awarded to members anywhere. All other awards and funding opportunities are open to members and non-members anywhere in the world.
THE SOCIETY’S AWARDS
THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY MEDAL
(instituted November 1st 1896)
The medal may be awarded at the discretion of the Council to any individual member or member institution who succeeds in breeding, in the United Kingdom, any species of bird which is not known to have previously bred under controlled conditions in the UK. Any member wishing to obtain the medal must send a detailed account for publication in the Avicultural Magazine and furnish such evidence of the facts as the Council may require. The account of the breeding must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to our members. It should describe the plumage of the young, and be of value as a record of the nesting and general habits of the species. The medal will be awarded only where the young survive to be self-feeding and wholly independent of their parents.
The award of a medal for the breeding of a sub-species of a species which has already bred shall be at the discretion of the Council. No medal will be given for the breeding of hybrids or colour mutations. In every case the decision of the Council shall be final.
Until 2017 the medal was awarded only for parent-reared breedings by individual members. Hand-reared first UK breedings are now also eligible. First UK breedings by institutions were previously awarded the Certificate of Merit. They are now eligible for the medal.
THE EZRA AWARD
(instituted 2009)
A medal may be awarded at the discretion of the Council for sustained breeding with a species or group of species. Any member wishing to obtain the medal must send a detailed account for publication in the Avicultural Magazine and furnish such evidence of the facts as the Council may require. The account of the breeding must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to our members. Members anywhere in the world are eligible to receive this award.
No medal will be given for the breeding of hybrids or colour mutations. In every case the decision of the Council shall be final.
The Ezra Award was instituted in 2009 in memory of our late President, Ruth Ezra. The award was initially a certificate, then from 2010-2014 a medal, in recognition of services to the Society. It was instituted in its current form in 2017.
THE PRESIDENT’S MEDAL
The President’s Medal may from time to time be awarded at the discretion of the Council to recognise exceptional achievement in aviculture or in the service of the Society. This may include significant achievement over a lifetime in aviculture, dedication to work with threatened species, or such other achievements as the Council may consider exceptional and worthy of special recognition.
THE DONALD RISDON AWARD
(instituted 1996)
At the discretion of the Council, an original drawing or painting will be awarded to the author of the best article published in each volume of the Avicultural Magazine. Where appropriate, the artwork will depict the subject of the winning article.
This award was instituted in memory of Donald Risdon, former Council Member, author, and founder of the Tropical Bird Gardens at Rode.
FORMER AWARDS
This list may be incomplete, and it is not known in all cases when the awards were discontinued.
THE DULCIE COOKE AWARD
(instituted 2000)
A plaque was awarded for the best photograph(s)/illustration(s) published in each volume of the Avicultural Magazine.
An award in memory of Dulcie Cooke, who was very active in the society and a well-known breeder of Australian parakeets.
The Society is currently fortunate to have a small number of professional photographers who generously donate images for use in the magazine. It does not seem appropriate to choose between these, or to ask amateur photographers submitting images with articles to compete with them, so the award has been discontinued.
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
(instituted 1960)
Awarded from time to time for a meritorious breeding by a British or foreign member; for example, success with a rarely bred species or a sustained, multiple generation breeding. Awarded only if a full account of the breeding was submitted for inclusion in the Avicultural Magazine. This award was also made to zoological societies, bird trusts or bird gardens, including for first UK breedings.
THE SOCIETY’S PRIZE
(instituted 1896)
Initially ‘a prize of one guinea for the best article submitted on the nesting in captivity of some common species of foreign bird, and a like prize on the nesting in captivity of some British bird. The articles may also treat generally of the habits of the species in captivity and in a state of freedom.’
These awards were made by the Executive Committee. Rules state that articles must be 1500-2000 words, submitted under a nom de plume. The author’s name was known only to the Secretary until the award had been made, and office holders were barred from competition. Members could compete for both prizes, but could only be awarded one.
In 1914, this award was replaced by the annual ‘Prize in Literature’, awarded by the Editor for the best article or series of articles on foreign birds, wild or captive, submitted by members living abroad. The prize was a bound and inscribed copy of ‘Practical Bird Keeping’ or another suitable book.
THE SOCIETY’S CERTIFICATE
A probably short-lived award from the Society’s early years. A certificate awarded for ‘priority in breeding birds in cages’, the dimensions of which must not exceed one cubic yard. The conditions of award as for the medal.
FUNDING AWARDS
CONSERVATION FUND
The Society has contributed regularly to relevant conservation and research projects from at least the 1990s. Funds initially came from raffles and other fundraising activities at social events.
Contributions have also been made from time to time to conservation foundations in lieu of members’ admission fees or speakers’ fees at Society meetings.
STEWART PYPER CONSERVATION FUND
(instituted 2017)
The Society has now formalised its support for conservation projects. Organisations are invited to apply on the official form for funding up to £500 for specific items of equipment for avian conservation projects, particularly those with an avicultural element.
Applications close on August 31st each year and will be considered at the Autumn Council meeting, usually in September.
The fund is financed by a legacy from our late Council Member Stewart Pyper. Other funding requests may exceptionally be considered from time to time.
RAYMOND SAWYER SCHOLARSHIP
(instituted 2014)
A scholarship is awarded annually to a young aviculturist (amateur, professional or student, from anywhere in the world) under 25 years old. The award covers course fees and accommodation for an avian course at the Durrell Conservation Academy at Jersey Zoo – usually a five-day workshop on incubation or conservation breeding husbandry.
The scholarship is run in partnership with Cage & Aviary Birds magazine. Applications – usually open from early May until late June – are made online to Cage & Aviary Birds and considered by a panel representing the Avicultural Society, Cage & Aviary Birds and the Durrell Academy.
The scholarship is financed by a legacy from our late President Raymond Sawyer.