Union Medal of the British Ornithological Union

The Union Medal is a medal of the British Ornithologists' Union, given "in recognition of eminent services to ornithology and to the Union and ornithology."[1] From 2019 it is to be known as the "Janet Kear Union Medal", after Janet Kear, with a new medal design.[2]

In his history of the BOU, History of the Union, Guy Montfort wrote:[2][3]

The Union Medal was created in 1912 "to give special recognition for eminent services to ornithology in the field". Under the present Rule 21 it is limited to Union members. Four of these medals were received by members who took part in the Jubilee Expedition to New Guinea. One, in gold, was awarded to the leader W. Goodfellow and three, in silver, to Dr. A. F. R. Wollaston, G. E. Shortridge and Captain C. H. B. Grant.

The BOU introduced the Godman-Salvin Medal, awarded "to an individual as a signal honour for distinguished ornithological work.",[1] and nowadays the Union Medal recognises people "who have given distinguished service to the Union itself".[2]