They are usually focused on local birds, but may also include interest in far-flung areas.
Most bird observatories are small operations with a limited staff, many volunteers and a not-for-profit educational status.
The United Kingdom's first bird observatory was established in 1933 by Ronald Lockley in the Welsh island of Skokholm.
This is a list of members of the Bird Observatories Council of Britain and Ireland.
[1] Observatories belonging to the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network: