野外鸟类学杂志欢迎原创文章，强调对鸟类在其自然栖息地的描述性或实验性研究。文章描述一般技术，强调保护，描述生活史，或评估已发表的研究或现有的想法是适当的。该杂志对新热带地区的实地研究以及非专业鸟类学家参与的实地研究特别感兴趣。
The Journal of Field Ornithology welcomes original articles that emphasize the descriptive or experimental study of birds in their natural habitats. Articles depicting general techniques, emphasizing conservation, describing life history, or assessing published studies or existing ideas are appropriate. The Journal is especially interested in field studies conducted in the Neotropics and those involving participation by nonprofessional ornithologists.