Bird Banding Training Course in Ecuador

[Nicole Büttner]

Background

Trying to fill a gap in the research and understanding of the diverse bird life in and around Un poco del Chocó, in August 2014 we started our work as a bird observatory and implemented a longterm-bird monitoring program in the reserve. In order to study the bird populations in the reserve and its surroundings, we run two constant-effort mistnetting sites and catch birds regularly. In the past ten years we have already banded nearly 200 different bird species in the reserve. We mainly band passerines and near-passerines, but also hummingbirds, toucans and small raptors.

Course Description

In the scope of the long-term monitoring of the bird communities in the nature reserve and its surroundings the Un poco del Chocó-Nature Reserve & Biological Station offers bird banding training both to beginners and advanced banders. Our 10-day intensive course is designed for only a small number of participants which allows us to customize our training to the needs of the participants, depending on prior knowledge and skills. Individuals who are new to bird banding will learn the basics of scientific bird banding and avian monitoring techniques, while those who already possess some banding skills will be able to advance their comprehension of molt strategies, ageing and sexing techniques of birds in the hand.

Course Structure

The course will start with an introduction to avian monitoring techniques and scientific bird banding. Participants will learn how to install, open, and close mist nets.
On the following banding days participants will learn how to set up and monitor mistnets, extract birds from nets, they will assist in the banding process (band and measure birds) and record data. Several classroom style lectures will be given on ethical bird banding, bird safety, operation of a banding station, ageing and sexing techniques and molt analysis.

During the course, we will catch and band birds at two different locations throughout the reserve for three days each. Furthermore, on one morning we will use a feeder trap to catch hummingbirds and show the specifics of hummingbird banding. We will also demonstrate how to install and use canopy nets, and how to collect samples such as blood, feathers and feces.

Banding Training

Course instructor Nicole Büttner is currently conducting her PhD research on avian life cycle phenology in the reserve. She is a certified bird banding trainer of the North American Banding Council (NABC) and teaches according to their ethics and high standards in bird banding. All lectures will be held in English. The practical work will furthermore be supported by NABC bander Christian Montalvo and our banding assistant Leo Montalvo who both mainly speak Spanish.

This course allows participants to get an insight to most banding techniques, though it will take more time and experience than this course can provide to fully learn and dominate all banding skills. However, participants will get to know a variety of neotropical bird species and will learn how to extract a bird from a mist net, how to measure it, how to band it, and how to assess ecological and demographical data. To allow enough time for teaching without stressing the birds, we generally operate 16 mistnets. The number of birds a participant will handle depends on capture rates, the type of birds we catch, prior knowledge and skills etc. For example, some birds can get tangled heavily, so they will not be extracted by beginners.
Although this course doesn't provide any banding certification or license, we will issue a certificate confirming your participation in our bird banding training program.

Rates and Dates 2025

The costs for the course are 1250 US$ and include three meals per day & lodging in dormitory-style rooms at the biological station, all equipment, and taxes. Furthermore the proceeds of our course help us finance our research projects, conservation work and scholarships for Ecuadorian students!

Course dates
March 11 – 21

Application deadline
January 31

Payment deadline
February 10

Spots are limited; therefore, priority will be given to those who apply earliest! Once accepted to the course, we will hold the spots until the payment deadline. If we don’t receive payments by those dates, we will invite people on our waiting list.

For further information please visit our website, or directly apply here!