The AOS 2025 meeting has several exciting daily networking events and opportunities throughout the week, designed to meet the needs of ornithologists from diverse backgrounds and career stages. We will be adding more information as we get closer to the meeting; bookmark this page for updates on our networking and social events; times are subject to change. All times listed are local time (U.S. Central).
Daily Events
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
Our AOS 2025 Registration Desk/Check-In Stations will be open daily:
- Monday, 11 August: 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, 12 August: 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, 13 August: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 14 August: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Friday, 15 August: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Student Mentor–Mentee Meet-Ups
Organizer: Faiza Hafeez
Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 11–15 August (exact date and time to be arranged by student and their assigned mentor)
The student-mentor meetup is an opportunity for students to connect with mentors in a small group setting. Groups of 2–4 students will each be matched with a mentor based on their research interests and career goals. The mentoring group will meet for an hour during the week of the conference. You will receive an email from one of the Student Affairs Committee co-chairs closer to the date of the conference to connect you with your group. It is the responsibility of the mentor to follow up with mentees to schedule the meeting after the initial email introduction initiated by the SAC co-chair.
Early Professional-Mentor Meet-Up
Organizers: Jenn Houtz, Nandadevi Cortes Rodriguez
Days/Times: Monday−Friday, 11–15 August 2025 (exact date and time to be arranged by early professional and their assigned mentor)
Similar to the student-mentor meetup (where students are the mentees), the Early Professional–Mentor Meet-Up is a new opportunity for early professionals/postdoctoral researchers to connect with mentors in a small group setting. The postdoctoral stage can be a time of change and career transition so we want to offer the opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to meet with mentors in various academic and nonacademic career paths. Groups of 1–2 early professionals will each be matched with a mentor based on their research interests and career goals. The mentoring group will meet for an hour during the week of the conference. You will receive an email from one of the Early Professionals Committee (EPC) co-chairs closer to the date of the conference to connect you with your group. It is the responsibility of the mentor to follow up with mentees to schedule the meeting after the initial email introduction initiated by the EPC co-chair.
eBird Birding Competition
Daily, at your leisure
This year’s eBird Birding Competition is open to everybody attending the AOS 2025 Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri (11 August–15 August 2025). To join you just need to get out birding, submit qualifying eBird checklists, and be added to the eBird Trip Report. Participants will be entered into daily drawings to win prizes sponsored by eBird and the AOS! During the morning announcements at the plenaries on Tuesday–Friday, a winner will be announced from a random draw of all individuals who submitted a qualifying eBird checklist for the previous day (checklists must be submitted by 9:00 p.m. local time the prior evening). All of the checklists submitted by conference attendees, including media submitted, can be viewed on the “AOS Annual Meeting 2025—St Louis” Trip Report, which you can find here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/356600
Monday, 11 August
Morning Bird Walk – Gateway Arch National Park
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Monday, 11 August
Time: TBA
Location: Gateway Arch National Park outside the main entrance (right across the street from the Hyatt Regency).
Join us for a one-hour bird walk through the Gateway Arch National Park with views of the Gateway Arch and the magnificent Mississippi River. We will walk around the park’s ponds, forests, and riverfront to search for lingering breeders, local year-round residents, and potentially an early migrant or two. We should see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Kingbirds, Peregrine Falcons, Mississippi Kites, and Indigo Buntings, but we could see more than a couple dozen species on this morning walk! Transportation information is provided on the Morning Bird Walks page for this event.
Student-Early Professional Mixer
Monday, 11 August
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
The Student-Early Professional Mixer is an opportunity for students to connect with early professionals both inside and outside academia in a casual setting. Students and early professionals will be matched in small groups based on their research interests and career goals.
Keynote Address & Opening Reception
Monday, 11 August
Keynote: 7:00 p.m.
Opening Reception: 8:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Our meeting kicks off with an address from our Keynote Speaker elin kelsey, Ph.D. from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Immediately following the address, we will move to the opening reception where we will greet old friends and colleagues and meet new ones as we look forward to the week’s programming of science, professional development, and community building.
Tuesday, 12 August
Morning Bird Walk – Forest Park
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Tuesday, 12 August
Time: TBA
Location: Forest Park
If taking the MetroLink train (~20 min ride), meet at the 8th and Pine Station at (TIME TBA) (0.3 mi walk from Hyatt Regency). If meeting the group at Forest Park, meet at the General Franz Sigel Statue at (TIME TBA).
Forest Park is one of the largest and oldest urban parks in the U.S. at 1,300 acres (larger than New York City’s Central Park!). The park’s diverse habitats support a wide array of bird species throughout the year. Join us for an approximately one-hour bird walk through Deer Lake Savanna and the forests on the northeast side of the park to the Fish Hatchery. Species such as Eastern Wood-Pewee, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, and plenty of others (maybe an early migrant or two) will likely be found in the forests during the first part of the walk. The group will then walk to the Fish Hatchery which provides ample habitat for aquatic species such as Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and Mississippi Kites. Transportation information is provided on the Morning Bird Walks page for this event.
Conference 101
Tuesday, 12 August
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: TBA
Are you a first-time attendee looking to network and learn the ropes of a professional conference? Do you want to get the best out of this conference but are afraid of being alone? Join us for a Conference 101 event and sign up for the Conference Buddy Program. Conference Buddy is for everyone who wants to attend the conference but is not comfortable being on their own all the time. It’s for all first-timers, introverts, socially awkward, timid, and shy people out there like rails and coots. We will pair you with one or more persons with whom you can attend the conference together. Support each other and find a familiar face between all strangers. You will feel more at ease and comfortable just knowing you’re not alone. At the same time, you have the opportunity to help others to feel better!
St. Louis Cardinals versus Colorado Rockies
Tuesday, 12 August
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Take me out to the ballgame! Join fellow conference attendees for a classic summer evening on Tuesday, 12 August (6:45 p.m.) at the ballpark as we cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals as they take on the Colorado Rockies—just a short walk from the conference venue! Busch Stadium is one of the most iconic in Major League Baseball, offering spectacular views, great food, and a chance to soak up the atmosphere of America’s favorite pastime. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just in it for the peanuts and camaraderie, this is an unforgettable way to spend your evening. Please note: tickets are non-refundable. Sign up for this event when registering for AOS 2025.
If you anticipate needing special accommodations to attend the baseball game, please contact Ramona Fletcher at rfletcher[at]americanornithology.org.
Wednesday, 13 August
Arch March 5K Fun Walk/Run/Ride (wheelchair accessible)
Wednesday, 13 August
Time: 6:30 a.m.
Location: east of the Gateway Arch along the Riverfront Trail
Registration Fees
- Student and/or Special Country Registrant: $20
- Postdoc and/or Early Professional Registrant: $25
- Professional Registrant: $30
Join us at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 13 August, just east of the Gateway Arch along the Riverfront Trail for the Arch March 5K Fun Walk/Run/Ride (this route is wheelchair accessible)! The out-and-back route will follow the Riverfront Trail, with spectacular views of both the Arch and the Mississippi River. Participants will travel approximately 1.6 miles up the trail, turn around, and come back to the starting location. Refreshments will be provided at the start/finish line including water, fruit, and snacks. Volunteers will be placed along the route to assist participants. Sign up for the Arch March when you register for AOS 2025.
A signed waiver will be required in order to participate in the event. Participants will be contacted via email.
AOS Editorial Board Luncheon
Wednesday, 13 August
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mills 6
To thank you for your valued contributions to the AOS, we will be having our joint Ornithology and Ornithological Applications Editorial Board luncheon. Invitations will be sent by email to members of the AOS Editorial Board.
Thursday, 14 August
Rainbow Lorikeets Breakfast Social
Thursday, 14 August
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Mills 6
The Rainbow Lorikeets are organizing a networking social for 2SLGBTQIA+ (two spirit, lesbian, gay, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual) attendees in our AOS 2025 community. This will be the main event for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to meet and network at our meeting.
Morning Bird Walk – Forest Park
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Tuesday, 14 August
Time: TBA
Location: Forest Park
If taking the MetroLink train (~20 min ride), meet at the 8th and Pine Station at (TIME TBA) (0.3 mi walk from Hyatt Regency). If meeting the group at Forest Park, meet at the General Franz Sigel Statue at (TIME TBA).
Forest Park is one of the largest and oldest urban parks in the U.S. at 1,300 acres (larger than New York City’s Central Park!). The park’s diverse habitats support a wide array of bird species throughout the year. Join us for an approximately one-hour bird walk through Deer Lake Savanna and the forests on the northeast side of the park to the Fish Hatchery. Species such as Eastern Wood-Pewee, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, and plenty of others (maybe an early migrant or two) will likely be found in the forests during the first part of the walk. The group will then walk to the Fish Hatchery which provides ample habitat for aquatic species such as Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, and Mississippi Kites. Transportation information is provided on the Morning Bird Walks page for this event.
Silent Auction (pick-up)
Thursday, 14 August
Time: beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Poster Hall
Winning bidders will be contacted directly and can pay for and pick up their prizes at the auction table beginning on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. following the plenary session.
Golden Auks Luncheon
Thursday, 14 August
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mills 6
$40 per person
The Golden Auks luncheon is an informal gathering for senior ornithologists who want to connect with colleagues. Please sign up to attend this luncheon when registering for AOS 2025 through the registration form.
Quiz Bowl
Thursday, 14 August
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
The Student Affairs Committee will be hosting its annual bird-themed trivia Quiz Bowl. Participants will form teams of three and compete to win prizes. You do NOT have to assemble your team beforehand. Groups can be formed at the beginning of the event. The Quiz Bowl will consist of rounds of pub trivia followed by Final Jeopardy. Student teams will be eligible to advance to the Final Jeopardy round.
Friday, 15 August
Morning Bird Walk – Gateway Arch National Park
Organizer: Local Host Committee
Monday, 11 August
Time: TBA
Location: Gateway Arch National Park outside the main entrance (right across the street from the Hyatt Regency).
Join us for a one-hour bird walk through the Gateway Arch National Park with views of the Gateway Arch and the magnificent Mississippi River. We will walk around the park’s ponds, forests, and riverfront to search for lingering breeders, local year-round residents, and potentially an early migrant or two. We should see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Kingbirds, Peregrine Falcons, Mississippi Kites, and Indigo Buntings, but we could see more than a couple dozen species on this morning walk! Transportation information is provided on the Morning Bird Walks page for this event.
AOS “Meet the Editors”
Friday, 15 August
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Mills 6
Everyone is welcome to this session to meet the Editors-in-Chief, Senior Editors, and Managing Editor for the AOS journals Ornithology and Ornithological Applications. This session should be particularly helpful for students and early-career professionals. The editors will discuss what they are looking for in submitted manuscripts, the review process from submission to revision, and how to increase the chances that your manuscript will be reviewed favorably. After comments by the editors, the session will be devoted to questions from the audience. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Closing Session
Friday, 15 August
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Please join us for a spirited conclusion to a fabulous meeting with dancing, congratulations, and thanks for another great conference! Our closing session will include student awards and announcements. For those seeking a different environment, there will be quiet spaces available for firming up future collaborations or talking with old friends.
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