5th International Bird Banding Course & 1st Certification Session in Peru: Promoting research in Andean bird populations

Peru
BiologyEcology
DOI: 10.18258/9247
$2,309
Raised of $2,300 Goal
100%
Funded on 6/09/17
Successfully Funded
  • $2,309
    pledged
  • 100%
    funded
  • Funded
    on 6/09/17

About This Project

The Santa Eulalia River Biological Station has worked since 2012 to expand the public’s awareness of Andean avian ecology and help train biologists in advanced bird banding techniques. We now propose to expand our capacity building efforts by offering the first professional certification of bird banders in Peru under auspices of the North American Banding Council and provides the opportunity for biologists to advance their career and academic opportunities through professional certification.

Ask the Scientists

Join The Discussion

What is the context of this research?

Our main goal is to increase public interest in the ecology and conservation of Andean birds by highlighting the importance of science-based bird banding. Since founding the station in 2012 we have engaged more than 600 students and volunteers through our annual International Bird Banding Workshop and have shared our data to support two theses, reports, and scientific publications.

We are now organizing the country’s first North American Banding Council (NABC) certification session. This collaborative event will held in conjunction with our 5th International Bird Banding Course. Funding will not only support the professional development of Latin American avian biologists but also assist the long-term monitoring of Andean bird populations at the Santa Eulalia Biological Station.



What is the significance of this project?

Training and certification of new banders and trainers will improve the bird banding programs in Peru and Latin America, as well as management and conservation studies. By supporting this project, new researchers, students and the general public will be given new opportunities to have access to training in knowledge and techniques to generate new information, and also address basic and essential questions in ecological and evolutionary studies for tropical birds. The training seeks to instruct students in a correct, standardized and optimal way, highlighting the importance of collecting valid data.

This event will include the first NABC certification session to occur in Peru as well as our 5th annual International Bird Banding Workshop, the country’s for bird banding in Peru.



What are the goals of the project?

During the develop of the course and certification session, we also will run a parallel project. On the estimation of the optimal or maximal sample size bird capture in the station. Increasing the number of nets by habitat around the station every day. These data will allow us to refine the selection of more habitats with a better effective number of nets to characterize the community of birds.

On another hand, we want to validate sex and age criteria, and molting patterns of three Andean bird species: Chiguanco Thrush, Band-tailed Seedeater, and the Collared Warbling-Finch. Finally, keep increasing our sample size for rare species (Streaked Tit-Spinetail and Fawn-breasted Tanager), and the number of recaptures.

Budget

Please wait...

The certification is funded in part by the North American Banding Council (NABC) and the Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO). However, there are still several costs that need to be met to successfully complete this event: equipment, food, logistic, in-country travel expenses for students and all travel fees for instructors. Additionally, because our goal is to keep student expenses at a minimum, part of the budget will be dedicated to giving awards of scholarship for applicants to NABC certification session.

This is why we are asking for $2300 of donated money to help cover expenses.

Through your donation, you are supporting the development of young researchers who want to manage, study and preserve life in the diverse habitat in the Andes. At the same time, you are helping to strengthen the bird banding programs in Peru and other Latin American countries. We are counting on you!

Endorsed by

Conservation of birds it is a critical task where they’re facing human-produced threats that are increasing pressure on habitat. For birds with small ranges, specific ecological requirements, or low populations/density, is important to understand its natural history. In this sense, bird banding is an excellent tool for working in the long term and obtain data on relevant aspects. For this, to have trained researchers is critical, and that’s why I consider this course to be a milestone for banding in Peru and strongly recommend supporting it.
This Project is based on long lasting voluntary work in the base of the mountains of Peru. Young researchers have sought and gotten training and certification in the best banding labs in Canada and the US. They have conducted plenty of banding-based research and trained a considerable amount of people who now conduct research with competence and responsibility. Peru, a country of birds is little by little becoming also a country of people studying them. This international course is definitely a major achievement in the correct direction.
Peru is perhaps one of the most diverse countries on the planet with regards to birds. To help us better understand and protect Peru's natural patrimony requires efforts from within the country... that is to say: Peruvians must want to protect their own country's natural heritage if it is to be protected. How can more young Peruvians learn to appreciate what is theirs? Through projects such as this. The team organizing it have the experience necessary to pass on their knowledge to those participating, and I am deeply encouraged by it.

Project Timeline

Apr 25, 2017

Project Launched

May 30, 2017

Fully funded, thanks to everyone!

Jun 20, 2017

Banding Course Update

Meet the Team

Erika Victoria Berrocal Rodriguez
Erika Victoria Berrocal Rodriguez

Affiliates

Associated Researcher - Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity (CORBIDI)
View Profile
Oscar Alexis Diaz Campo
Oscar Alexis Diaz Campo

Affiliates

Associated Researcher - Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity (CORBIDI)
View Profile
Flor Hernandez
Flor Hernandez

Affiliates

Associated Researcher - Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity (CORBIDI)
View Profile
Tania Vanessa
Tania Vanessa

Affiliates

Associated Researcher - Center for Ornithology and Biodiversity (CORBIDI)
View Profile

Erika Victoria Berrocal Rodriguez

General coordinator in Santa Eulalia River Biological Station. I am a biologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina and with a deep interest in ecological and behavior research of tropical birds. My work is focused on the behavior of bird species mixed-flocks at the Peruvian amazon rainforest. I also have wide experience in museum bird skin preparation.

Oscar Alexis Diaz Campo

Founder and general Coordinator in Santa Eulalia River Biological Station and certified trainer by the North American Banding Council. I am a biologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal and with a deep interest in growing as an independent researcher, and a firm commitment to increase ecology and evolutionary biology research in my country.

Flor Hernandez

Founder general Coordinator in Santa Eulalia River Biological Station and certified trainer by the North American Banding Council. I am a biologist graduated from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina and my work is focused on foraging behavior, physiology (molt patterns and high-altitude adaptations) and ecology. To complement my research goals, I am eager to study and promote research about evolution, biogeography, and systematics in tropical birds.

Tania Vanessa

General coordinator at Santa Eulalia River Biological Station. I am a biologist graduated from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and also the principal assistant of the Shorebird Banding Project in Paracas National Reserve. My work is focused on studies of ecological interactions (plant-animal) and botanical inventories. I also have the wide experience as a curator of a botanical collection of my university.

Additional Information




Project Backers

  • 26Backers
  • 100%Funded
  • $2,309Total Donations
  • $88.81Average Donation
Please wait...