Fauna Forever | Bird Research Volunteer Internship

Bird Research Team

Understanding the diversity, distribution, population dynamics and
optimal conservation strategies of forest-dwelling birds in Amazonian Peru

Our tropical ornithology research in Peru, featuring our Head Field Research Coordinator, Chris Ketola. Video credit: Foggy Lens Productions

Bird Team Objectives

Our Ornithological Research Team, is tasked with the following principle scientific and conservation objectives: (i) to establish baseline datasets of the diversity and abundance of over 600 species of birds at Amazonian field sites in the Madre de Dios and Cusco regions of Peru; (ii) to monitor changes in the diversity, abundance and community structure of birds at these sites over time scales ranging from months to years and even decades; (iii) to compare and contrast sites in terms of bird diversity, abundance and community structure; (iv) to understand and explain the differences and changes in bird communities within and between sites and over time (seasons, years, decades) with respect to environmental and anthropogenic variables such as climate (temperature, rainfall), forest type (terra-firme, floodplain), land-use categories (protected areas, indigenous or native community forest, ecotourism concessions, timber and non-timber extractive reserves, bushmeat hunting areas, and forests surrounded by or immediately adjacent to agricultural and cattle ranching areas), and underlying human-related disturbance as measured by distance from towns and villages, roads, and large navigable rivers; (v) to identify bird populations or communities that are changing particularly rapidly and the likely underlying causes of this change; (vi) to provide forest land owners and managers with information about the conservation status of the bird community in their forest; (vii) to educate the general public in Peru and worldwide about Neotropical birds; and ultimately (viii) to promote conservation actions at the species, site and landscape level that will help conserve the avifauna of Peru.

Striated Antbird seen during a Fauna Forever bird survey

Striated antbird (Drymophila devillei)

Photo: Tom Ambrose

Band-tailed Manakin being examined during Fauna Forever bird research activities

A male Band-tailed manakin (Pipra fasciicauda) having its wing evaluated for moult limits and general

wear and tear. Photo: Fauna Forever

This internship provides volunteers and interns with hands-on training in the field methods and analytical techniques used to study Neotropical birds in terrestrial ecosystems. Training is delivered through close mentorship by experienced researchers and follows a flexible, competency-based progression, rather than a fixed or time-bound curriculum.Participants may engage with multiple research teams during their placement, and progression within the bird programme reflects individual experience, aptitude, and time available in the field. Responsibility increases as skills, confidence, and data quality standards are met, at the discretion of the Bird Research Coordinator.

Methods Used

The main field methods that the bird team employs under the leadership of our experienced bird research coordinators, include mist-netting in combination with banding or ringing (largely for forest understorey and cryptic species), point count surveys (largely for canopy and flocking species), and camera trap arrays (largely for ground-dwelling species). Each week, between 4-7 days are dedicated to mist net survey techniques. With respect to mist-netting, at each field site we have identified and marked 12-24 sample stations, each separated on average by 200 m, and on each sample day we use 9-12 nets (each 12 m long, 2.5 m high) erected in groups of 3-4. Sampling takes place from dawn for a period of approximately 4 hours, followed by data review (error corrections if required), and potentially dismantling nets and erecting them at the next set of stations.

Captured birds are processed quickly, including ringing or banding, recording morphological characteristics, and assessing moult patterns to help age individuals. Birds are released close to the point of capture. When it comes to point count surveys, these are undertaken at 12-24 stations per site during the first 2-4 hours after dawn and for a period of 10 minutes each. Radial distances to birds recorded visually and via auditory cues are estimated and used to calculate species-specific densities using the program Distance. Depending on the field site, some point count stations are located in very open areas (usually river banks) and are used for counting flocking bird species such as parrots, macaws, oropendolas, and caciques as they fly to and from roosting sites. The camera trap arrays consist of 10-20 cameras per site, each separated from each other by at least 200 m. These record terrestrial birds, such as tinamous, ant-pittas, rails, among other species. These camera trap arrays are generally monitored and maintained by the mammal team, however the bird teams assist by checking battery and memory cards and collecting and analyzing records of birds collected by these traps. Again the data is used to assess diversity and relative abundance of species using standard analytical protocols, as well as occupancy modelling to predict species distributions and habitat suitability. Data analysis and visualisation programs that we use include R, SPSS, Distance, Mark, Estimates, Camera Base, and QGIS.

Methods and skills covered

Mist-netting and Bird Handling

Preparation and establishment of mist nets in tropical forest environments
Safe opening, closing, and storage of mist nets
Ethical handling of birds using standard grip techniques
Temporary holding, safe processing, and release of captured individuals
Extraction of birds from mist nets using safe methods, under appropriate supervision

Bird Banding and Morphological Data Collection

Theory and application of bird banding/ringing for mark–recapture studies
Collection of standardised morphological measurements
Ageing and sexing birds, including assessment of molt limits, molt cycles, and reproductive status (WRP)
Progressive independence in data collection accuracy and consistency

Species Identification

Visual and acoustic identification using field guides, mobile applications, and photographic resources
Identification of birds in the hand and in the field, including sub-canopy and canopy species
Ongoing improvement in identification accuracy with experience

Data Management and Quality Control

Completion of field datasheets and digital data entry
Data checking and validation procedures to maintain dataset quality

Band-tailed Manakin being weighed during Fauna Forever bird research activities

A Band-tailed manakin (Pipra fasciicauda) head down in a cannister, being weighed. Photo: Jason Kopp

Bird research interns using a field guide to identify birds during Fauna Forever bird research activities

Using the "Birds of Peru" fieldguide to

identify a bird. Photo: Jason Kopp

A hummingbird having its bill measured during Fauna Forever bird research activities

A hummingbird having its beak measured.

Photo: Tom Ambrose

Important note on training opportunities and progression

While this internship offers exposure to a wide range of bird research methods, there is no guarantee that all participants will engage in every skill or technique listed above. Training opportunities depend on individual aptitude, rate of progression, length of placement, and overall research priorities during a volunteer’s stay. Volunteers are expected to demonstrate a proactive and reliable approach to learning and assisting with core practical tasks—particularly mist-net set-up, net maintenance, and accurate data entry—before progressing to the handling and processing of live birds. Progression into more advanced responsibilities is determined by the Bird Research Coordinator and is based on demonstrated competence, consistency, and adherence to ethical and data quality standards.

Bird watchign during a Fauna Forever avian point count survey

A point count sample in full swing. Photo: Giovanna Tron.

Birds waiting to be banded during Fauna Forever bird research activities

Bagged birds waiting to be processed (measured, weighed, etc.). Photo: Giovanna Tron.

Apply to our Bird Team Internship

Thesis Project Internships

If you are a student looking to undertake an official thesis or dissertation project on Neotropical birds in the Peruvian Amazon, and would like to benefit from our expertise and know-how, then this option we offer. You can find out more on the Thesis Project Internship page. We are able to offer support and advice to students regarding project design, implementation and data analysis, along with close supervision from our research coordinators. We have even identified some potential research questions that could be developed into thesis projects, although we are also open to ideas and questions from student applicants. Undergraduate level projects should ideally be planned to be undertaken over a minimum 6-week period. Any shorter and there is no guarantee, in our experience, that sufficient quality data would be collected. Our management team can also provide official supervision and reporting as may be required by colleges and universities. Due to the specific nature of each student's thesis project idea, final costs will be agreed following discussions with the Fauna Forever research team.