Auk (journal)

Auk (journal) is a quarterly scientific journal published by the American Ornithological Society, focusing on ornithology research, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. The journal is named after the Great Auk, a flightless bird that became extinct in the mid-19th century, and is considered one of the most prestigious publications in the field of ornithology, alongside Ibis (journal) and Condor (journal). The journal has been in publication since 1884, with notable contributors including John James Audubon, Alexander Wilson (ornithologist), and Roger Tory Peterson. The Auk has been edited by prominent ornithologists, such as Ludlow Griscom and Ernst Mayr, and has published research on various bird species, including the Bald Eagle, American Robin, and Red-winged Blackbird.

● History

The Auk was first published in 1884 by the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU), now known as the American Ornithological Society (AOS), with Joel Asaph Allen as its first editor. The journal was initially published bimonthly, but later changed to a quarterly schedule. Over the years, the Auk has undergone several changes in its editorial board, with notable editors including Herbert Friedmann, Ludlow Griscom, and Ernst Mayr. The journal has published research on various aspects of ornithology, including bird migration, bird behavior, and avian ecology, with contributions from renowned ornithologists such as John James Audubon, Alexander Wilson (ornithologist), and Roger Tory Peterson. The Auk has also published studies on bird conservation, including research on the California Condor, Whooping Crane, and Mauritius Pink Pigeon.

● Scope

The Auk publishes original research articles, reviews, and short communications on all aspects of ornithology, with a focus on the Western Hemisphere. The journal covers a wide range of topics, including avian ecology, bird behavior, bird migration, and bird conservation, with a particular emphasis on the Neotropics and Nearctic regions. The Auk also publishes research on bird systematics, avian evolution, and paleornithology, with contributions from institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian Institution. The journal has a strong focus on conservation biology, with research on endangered species such as the Spiny Babbler, Slender-billed Vulture, and Mauritius Pink Pigeon, and has collaborated with organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

● Publication

The Auk is published quarterly by the American Ornithological Society (AOS), with four issues per year. The journal is available in both print and online formats, with online access provided through the AOS website and various academic databases, including JSTOR and BioOne. The Auk is also available through interlibrary loan services, such as OCLC and ILLiad. The journal has a rigorous peer-review process, with manuscripts reviewed by experts in the field, including ornithologists from institutions such as Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford. The Auk has a high impact factor, with research published in the journal frequently cited in other scientific journals, including Science (journal), Nature (journal), and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

● Impact

The Auk has had a significant impact on the field of ornithology, with research published in the journal influencing conservation efforts, bird management practices, and our understanding of avian ecology and bird behavior. The journal has published seminal papers on topics such as bird migration patterns, avian community structure, and bird conservation biology, with contributions from renowned researchers such as E.O. Wilson, Stephen Jay Gould, and Peter Grant (biologist). The Auk has also played a key role in shaping the field of ornithology, with research published in the journal informing policy decisions and management practices related to bird conservation and wildlife management, including the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

● Abstracting_and_indexing

The Auk is abstracted and indexed in several major databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Zoological Record. The journal is also indexed in Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic, and is available through various academic databases, including JSTOR and BioOne. The Auk is listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The journal has a high h-index, with research published in the Auk frequently cited in other scientific journals, including PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Ecology Letters.

● Awards_and_recognition

The Auk has received several awards and recognitions for its contributions to the field of ornithology, including the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Publications Award and the American Institute of Biological Sciences' (AIBS) Outstanding Publication Award. The journal has also been recognized for its excellence in scientific publishing, with awards from the Council of Science Editors (CSE) and the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP). The Auk has been edited by prominent ornithologists, including Ludlow Griscom and Ernst Mayr, who have received numerous awards for their contributions to the field of ornithology, including the American Ornithological Society's Elliott Coues Award and the National Academy of Sciences' Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal. Category:Ornithology journals