We are delighted to share with the OL community that Keith Chalmers-Watson (1963) has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026, for services to Wild Bird Research and Conservation. This recognition reflects decades of dedication and commitment to the conservation of threatened species.

Keith first became a member of the World Pheasant Association (WPA) in 1975, bringing with him a long-standing passion for aviculture and the conservation of galliform species. He has contributed hugely to the association in the intervening years, most notably serving as Chair from 2013–2021.

Keith explains that the WPA has three main priorities: conservation, education and aviculture. Their focus is on all the world’s game birds, collectively known as Galliformes, including pheasants, grouse, turkeys, quails, curassows and partridges.

Keith further writes that, “The WPA has Members, Chapters and Cooperative organisations in all corners of the world, particularly in Asia where the majority of these birds originated. We organise symposia, support scientific work in situ and much more, but my great love is captive breeding/aviculture. I came into the business sixty-eight years ago as an aviculturist, although I didn’t know then what that really meant.

There are three stages in pheasant conservation breeding which I will try to briefly outline. The first is the reintroduction of extinct species, such as the Edward’s pheasant in Vietnam. The second is the serious conservation breeding of species which are endangered in the wild, such as Firebacks in Borneo and Salvadori’s in Sumatra. The third is the conservation of seven precarious species of peacock pheasants, one of which is the Bornean Peacock Pheasant. Our mission, for which I have had a passion for sixty-five years, is to save the last remaining species of game birds from extinction.”

On receiving his MBE Keith says, “What an honour to be recognised in this way, for a lifetime of work with Galliformes and my support of the World Pheasant Association. My enormous passion for these wonderful birds has given me so many years of joy and the opportunity to meet some fascinating people across the world, many of whom I call lifelong friends. The WPA is a very special organisation, and I have been honoured to be part of it since the beginning in 1975.”

All at the School and Society extend huge congratulations to Keith for this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.