--- title: "The British Ornithologists' Union — check charity number SC044850 | CharityCompare" description: "Is The British Ornithologists' Union a legitimate UK charity? Check charity number SC044850. the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science charity based in Outwith Scotland. Official OSCR record, key facts and how to claim the profile — on CharityCompare." source: https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/the-british-ornithologists-union-2 retrieved: 2026-08-24T12:10:22.013Z license: "Charity data © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0" --- Quick answer The British Ornithologists' Union is a registered charity (number SC044850) on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register, so it is a legitimate, regulator-overseen organisation. It is registered for: the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science. Its latest reported income was £219,507 (year ending 2025-12-31). CharityCompare shows its official register record below; a Clarity Score is added automatically once detailed filing history is available. ## What are the key facts about The British Ornithologists' Union? Registered charity number SC044850 Status Registered (active) Charity type Trust (founding document is a deed of trust) (other than educational endowment) Location Outwith Scotland Latest income (year ending 2025-12-31) £219,507 Website [www.bou.org.uk](http://www.bou.org.uk/) ## What does The British Ornithologists' Union do? the advancement of the science of ornithology. ## What causes is The British Ornithologists' Union registered for? the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science ## Why is there no Clarity Score for The British Ornithologists' Union yet? The Clarity Score is computed from full financial filing history. The British Ornithologists' Union is on the official register but outside the detailed-filing group we currently score (or awaiting its first filings), so we show its official register record instead of a rating. Its score appears automatically once enough filing data exists — never by payment. [How scoring works](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/methodology) ## Is this your charity? Claim this profile free to add your own description, correct details, or respond publicly. Optional [partner plans](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/partners) add your logo, photos, verified badge and supporter features — claiming itself is always free and never changes any score. [Claim this profile — free](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/claim?charity=the-british-ornithologists-union-2&type=claim) [Visit charity website](http://www.bou.org.uk/) ## Frequently asked questions Is The British Ornithologists' Union a legitimate charity? Yes. The British Ornithologists' Union is a legitimate registered charity (charity number SC044850) regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). You can verify it on the official register. Registration proves status — it is not a Clarity Score or an impact rating. What is The British Ornithologists' Union's charity number? The British Ornithologists' Union's charity number is SC044850. Check that number on the OSCR register or this CharityCompare profile before you donate. How do I check charity number SC044850? Search SC044850 on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register or on CharityCompare. Confirm the registered name matches the organisation asking for money — scammers sometimes reuse real charity numbers. What does The British Ornithologists' Union do? the advancement of the science of ornithology. Does The British Ornithologists' Union have reviews and complaints? CharityCompare does not host public user reviews for The British Ornithologists' Union. This basic profile confirms registration and register facts. Rated charities also show a filing-based Clarity Score. For formal complaints, contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or the Fundraising Regulator as appropriate. How can I donate to The British Ornithologists' Union? The British Ornithologists' Union's website is http://www.bou.org.uk — donate there directly so the charity receives the full amount. CharityCompare never takes a commission on donations. Source: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register extract dated 2026-08-07, used under the [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/). Always verify current details on the [official register entry](https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC044850).