Colorado Bird Records Committee

To view the CBRC Reports for 1998-2010 » click here

To submit a bird record » click here

The purpose of the Colorado Bird Records Committee (CBRC) is:

To provide a repository for information regarding the records of rare or unusual birds within the state of Colorado. In order to perform this function the CBRC solicits, collects, assembles, reviews, renders opinions on, and permanently archives, in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, all documentation concerning rare and unusual bird records in Colorado.

In order to perform its functions well, the CBRC maintains good communication with the bird-watching and ornithology communities and makes its mechanisms, publications and opinions widely known.

The CBRC provides a means by which sight records can be used as scientific data.

The CBRC is not, nor does it intend to be, the final word in the rendering of any opinion concerning the correctness of any individual record, nor should its opinions be used as a basis for validating any particular personal record(s).

The CBRC has the following duties:

To solicit, collect and organize records of rare or unusual birds in Colorado. A rare bird "record" is defined as the written report(s), along with all pertinent information, such as a specimen, documentary photographs, videotapes, audio recordings, written "expert" opinion(s) and CBRC member votes and comments in regards to the written report(s).

To review, evaluate and assess all records and to rule on the acceptability of the submitted documentation in supporting the record. There are two principal written accounts resulting from this activity:

A periodic report, published in Colorado Birds: The Colorado Field Ornithologists' Quarterly, describing the activities and opinions of the CBRC.
An "official" state list of Colorado birds based on current knowledge and historical evidence archived in the CBRC files. This list shall appear periodically as the Field Check-List of Colorado Birds.

To establish a permanent file of all records in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This archive shall be maintained in good order by the CBRC and members of the museum staff and shall be open, available, and accessible for review by anyone at any time in the future, taking into account the museum hours of operation and the need for the museum to require notification and permission to enter areas of the museum normally off-limit to the general public. The establishment and maintenance of the CBRC bird records archive is the most important function of the CBRC. The opinions rendered by the CBRC shall be made in good faith and with the best available knowledge at the time. However, the actual archived records shall stand on their own merit and be available to anyone (including future CBRCs) for review.