The New Mexico Bird Records Committee (NMBRC) was established to evaluate and archive records of unusual bird species occurring in New Mexico. Formation of the NMBRC was initiated in 1992 and formalized in 1993, and the Committee commenced operations in 1994. The NMBRC follows a set of governing rules and currently consists of six at-large members plus a secretary.
The NMBRC was established with five broad purposes in mind: 1) to solicit and maintain documentation of records of birds from New Mexico; 2) to evaluate and validate such records; 3) to publicize data on records decisions; 4) to establish standards of observation and reporting that would allow sight records to gain acceptance as valuable scientific data; and 5) to keep or cause to keep the official New Mexico State Checklist of accepted bird species.
Report Rare/Unusual Sightings
NMOS maintains two lists of rare New Mexico birds that require some level of documentation when reported:
- Review List – The most rare species; full documentation for all reports is required.
- Sketch Details List – Considered less rare than the Review List species, but sufficient details are still required to identify the species.
NMBRC has developed a Rare/Unusual Bird Report Form, which may be used “as is” or as a guide in reporting birds of interest: PDF version || Word version
Reports are used by the NMBRC and by the editors of the seasonal reports published in the NMOS Field Notes and the national journal North American Birds.
Review ‘How to Submit Sightings for NMOS Field Notes’ for additional information on how to submit a report.
NMBRC Reports
Williams III, Sartor O., and Matthew J. Baumann. 2023. Seventh Report of the New Mexico Bird Records Committee. Western Birds 54:254–300.
Williams III, Sartor O. 2010. Sixth Report of the New Mexico Bird Records Committee. NMOS Bulletin 38(4):71–82.
Williams III, Sartor O. 2007. Fifth Report of the New Mexico Bird Records Committee. NMOS Bulletin 35(3):61–86.
Williams III, Sartor O. 1999. Fourth Report of the New Mexico Bird Records Committee. NMOS Bulletin 27(3):35–46.
Williams III, Sartor O. 1997. New Mexico Bird Records Committee Report for 1996. NMOS Bulletin 25(4).
Williams III, Sartor O. 1996. New Mexico Bird Records Committee Report for 1995. NMOS Bulletin 24(4).
Williams III, Sartor O. 1995. New Mexico Bird Records Committee Report for 1994. NMOS Bulletin 23(4).
NMBRC Members for 2024
Current members and the end dates of their current terms are listed below:
Matt Baumann – Dec 2024
Cole Wolf – Dec 2025
Bill Howe – Dec 2026
Nick Pederson – Dec 2027
Jodhan Fine – Dec 2028
John Parmeter – Dec 2029
Sandy Williams – Secretary (sunbittern@earthlink.net)
Past NMBRC Members
Mike Andersen
Alan Craig
Rob Doster
Dave Krueper
Bill Maley
Jerry Oldenettel
Christopher Rustay
Scott Stoleson
Barry Zimmer
Dale Zimmerman