Alexander F. Skutch Medal

Purpose: The Skutch Medal recognizes career accomplishments, particularly in, although not limited to, research relating to life history studies of Neotropical birds. Criteria may include encouragement and mentoring of students, particularly Latin Americans, and making research accessible to the public through popular publications, as well as publishing work in scientific journals. A goal of the award is to recognize individuals whose careers will stand as models of excellence in Neotropical ornithology.

History: The first award was presented by Dr. Skutch in 1997 to F. Gary Stiles at the 75th AFO meeting in San José, Costa Rica. Subsequent medal winners have been Herbert A. Raffaele (1999) and Mercedes S. Foster (2006). The award consists of a silver medal engraved with an image of the Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii) and a check for US$1000.

Nominations: The AFO Council will consider nominations received by September 1, 2009 for an award to be made at the 2010 annual meeting in Ogden, Utah. Nominations may be made by letter to the Council and should address the candidate's contributions to Neotropical ornithology with particular reference to the criteria mentioned above. Supporting materials may include biographical information, publications of the candidate, supporting letters from other ornithologists, and/or other relevant information.

Read Elissa Landre's article on the history between Dr. Skutch and AFO

Nominations may be sent via e-mail or regular mail to:

Michael Braun
Dept. of Vertebrate Zoology
National Museum of Natural History
4210 Silver Hill Rd.
Suitland Maryland 20746 USA
braunm@si.edu
301-238-1113

Receipt of nominations will be confirmed by return e-mail or regular mail.