So You Want to be a Field Ornithologist...

At least a few times a year, I get asked for advice on becoming an ornithologist. So I thought I’d make an outline of a few important things to consider and some advice on heading in the right direction.

Most people want to work as an ornithologist because they have a passion for birds. If you like bird watching, conservation, working outside, taking notes and collecting data, then becoming an ornithologist might be a good path for you. Field work is also available for those interested in mammals, plants, or reptiles and amphibians.

Most of these paid jobs require a Bachelors degree in biology or a related field (related fields usually include Environmental Studies, Zoology, Parks and Recreation, GIS, etc.), or require that you are pursuing a degree.  However, there are many opportunities for volunteers who are interested in birds that don't require a degree.  Most wildlife refuge visitor centers are staffed by retirees that man the desk in exchange for a place to park their motor home for a season.  Many bird banding stations allow volunteers to visit and help record data.  Most hawk watches in the east are unpaid positions run by volunteers, and are constantly in need of dedicated people to keep them going.  Do a simple google search of wildlife organizations in your area, or email me, and I can point you in the right direction.

We can break down ornithological field work into the 4 seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall, with spring and summer being the busiest and having the most jobs available, as researchers follow and study the behavior of breeding birds and their nestlings. It is more of a challenge to find work in the fall and winter when most neotropical migrants are long gone. However, bird jobs do exist in the fall and winter (mostly focused on migration and over-wintering birds), and getting the right experience in the spring and summer will help you continue work through the entire year.

Before you delve into the job search, consider these (few) harsh facts and realities of field work.

These are not “9-5” jobs! Days typically start early and well before dawn. Birds start moving right at sunrise, and if you aren’t there to see it, you will miss it, creating a gap in your behavioral data. Not surprisingly, you may also have to work until dusk or later. “Weekends” will become a thing of the past. Your days off will most likely be rainy days that you can’t predict in advance. You will probably have to work well over 40 hours a week without getting paid over time. In reality, most “field technician” jobs will require about 80% field work (outside) and 20% data entry, so don’t expect to get to be outside all day without putting in the sometimes tedious work of transcribing your data.

You will not get rich being a field technician! You may not even get rich being a field supervisor. But the bottom line is…IT DOESN’T MATTER! You get to be outside just about every day and see lots of birds. If you are entering this field to make money, please choose another path! Most people are in this field because they care about birds in relation to the environment, conservation, research, and science.  While you may end up at a permanent position that pays what other typical jobs pay, it is the experience that got you there that you will probably appreciate the most.

If you are ok with having a sometimes strange schedule, and also being paid more with satisfaction than money, then consider some advice (most from personal experience!) that may help you along the way.

Become very familiar with the birds of your region. When you travel to a new state or region, identifying unfamiliar birds will be much easier because of it. Studying common birds like Black-capped Chickadees or Eastern Towhee may seem silly, but you’ll realize the importance of subtle field marks when you get only a quick glimpse of your first Mountain Chickadee or Spotted Towhee. Equally important but often overlooked is bird song, which can be extremely useful to know in an unfamiliar area when you don’t have time to go searching for every new chirp you hear. Once you get to a new location, take advantage of time off to learn the birds and vegetation of the region, which may help you with future jobs in that region.

Invest in your own optics. If you don’t own a pair of binoculars and a scope, try to save up enough money to buy them. One can easily find both for $650 or less. While this may seem like a lot, the investment is ALWAYS worth it when your new employer hands you a scope that hasn’t been taken care of or isn’t adequate for the job (or doesn't give you a scope at all!), or a pair of binoculars that fog up on cold mornings. Scopes and binos at this price range come with lifetime warranties, so if you dunk your binos into the ocean or let your scope take one too many falls, it’s covered. Eagle Optics and Vortex Opticss are my two favorite low price/high quality sources for good optics.

Invest in the right gear! Besides optics, you’ll need good gear for field work. Invest in quality rain gear, sturdy and comfortable hiking boots, and potentially camping gear and cold weather gear. My favorite way to do this is through my Cabelas credit card. I earn points for all of my purchases, including gas and groceries, and the points are traded in for money at Cabelas Stores. Usually by the start of each new field season, I’ve got enough to replace a piece of gear, or save it up for more in the future.

Be familiar with your equipment and how to use it. Again, take advantage of the common birds you see everyday. Practice following birds in both your scope and binoculars, and learn how to transition between the two for quick IDs in the field. Learn how to quickly set up a tripod or window mounted scope, or you’ll end up missing important behaviors.

Use your field guides. I’ve seen too many people toting around loads of field guides that they’ve never actually opened. Field guides are essential tools, and can help you with more than just bird ID. Use your field guides to learn about ranges and behaviors of birds you haven’t seen. Supplement this with the many sources about birds you can easily find on the internet (E-bird, bird blogs, etc.).

Be familiar with what you are getting yourself into. Don’t apply for jobs that you can’t physically handle! Many jobs require strenuous hiking, backpacking alone, or advanced birding skills. While some jobs are geared more as internships or learning experiences, a lot of employers are looking for experienced people who are comfortable without training. Be upfront in your interviews, and ask questions about exactly what will be required, and what training, if any, will be provided. On the other hand, I’ve taken a few jobs that required sitting in vehicles or blinds for hours on end, doing long periods of behavioral observations. This requires more patience and attention than you’d think, so if you can’t stay focused or get easily cramped, these jobs aren’t for you!

If you find yourself in a job slump, volunteer. Fill the sometimes unavoidable gaps between field seasons with volunteer gigs. It will give you more experience that may lead to your next job and it will keep those unsightly time gaps off your resume. Don’t worry if you have to take a part time job outside of your field. Just be sure to stay in the game and keep birding in your free time. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Don’t settle! Like many other aspects of life, settling is usually not a good idea. If you read a job description and it doesn’t peak your interest and match your goals, you probably shouldn’t apply. You’ll do your best work at a job that you didn’t settle for and can keep your interest.
Here are a few job websites that will help you find jobs in ornithological field work. Apply for more than just a few each field season, and apply fast; the competition is very high, and the sooner you get your resume out there, the sooner you can start planning your next trip! (and, the sooner you can start applying for a job for next field season…)

Texas A&M Job Board-Very popular source for finding bird jobs! (also mammal, reptile and amphibian, and vegetation work is frequently posted here)

Association of Zoos and Aquariums Job Board-If you want a more hands-on experience and are a bit hesitant to dive into the world of field work, an internship at a zoo may be a good place to start.

So after you’ve really thought about it, applied for jobs, done the interview, and landed the job…do all the research you can about your target species and the region you are about to travel to!