Bird Banding & Bird Survey Volunteers - Las Tangaras, Mindo, Ecuador

Title: Bird Banding & Bird Survey Volunteers - Las Tangaras, Mindo, Ecuador
Location: Mindo, Ecuador
Job Description: Ecuador Cloud Forest Bird Banding at Reserva las Tangaras, Mindo, Ecuador

July 15-28, 2012. Volunteers assist Dr. Dusti Becker with long-term avian monitoring and conservation in the Andes of western Ecuador. Dr. Becker, a well-known tropical avian field ecologist with over 15 years of experience in Ecuador, leads the field project with assistance from experienced Ecuadorian para-biologists.

Life Net field assistants help with mist-netting of birds at several banding stations located in the Las Tangaras Reserve to advance scientific understanding of cloud forest avian communities, including species tolerances for deforestation and forest fragmentation.


Reserva Las Tangaras boasts more than 25 species of hummingbirds, one of the largest regional cock-of-the-rock display leks, and great numbers of Choco and Andean endemic bird species.

Volunteers help set up and monitor mist nets, extract birds from nets, carry birds from nets to a banding station, and record basic ecological data. Training in handling, measuring and banding is also offered to those interested in developing that skill set. Students may also develop there own project for credit at their universities. Volunteers will also have some afternoons and a full day free to explore and/or bird the Mindo area.

Accommodation is in the loft of the research cabin - mattresses and mosquito nets provided.

The cost-share donation of $1500 covers expenses related to supporting a volunteer: transportation in Ecuador, meals, & lodging during the conservation research program. The donation also contributes to stewardship of the reserve, salaries for Ecuadorian staff, and local educational programs about cloud forest wildlife conducted throughout the year.

The expedition begins and ends in Quito with the team meeting at Posada del Maple on the morning of July 15th, 2012, at 9 am.
Qualifications: Keen interest in birds, birding, mist-netting, banding. Experience desirable, but we will train. Academic background and interest in ornithology and avian conservation is desirable. Skilled use of binoculars is desirable.

Experience with mist-netting is desirable, but not required. Students, recent graduates and others looking for hands-on training and resume building experience will benefit greatly from this project. Visit the Volunteer page of www.lifenetnature.org for more details. To apply complete the application form on the web page and e-mail a brief cover letter and resume to Dr. Dusti Becker, dbecker@lifenetnature.org.

Salary: None
Last Date to apply: June 30, 2012
Website: http://www.lifenetnature.org
Contact: Dr. Dusti Becker
E-mail: dbecker@lifenetnature.org(Preferred)
Phone: 520-384-3886