mardi 17 février 2009

FIELD ASSISTANT

For behavioral field study of a songbird in CostaRica
–Assistant will collect data on song, social behavior, reproduction, habitat use and demographics in the cooperatively breeding, duetting Stripe-headed Sparrow (Aimophila ruficauda).
Motivated applicant withinterests in research may have opportunity to lead a study on habitatuse. Daily field work will include resighting birds bycolor-combination, mist-netting, banding, conducting focal observations while recording vocalizations, assisting playback experiments, trackingbirds via telemetry, nest-searching and monitoring, habitat surveys andinsect sampling. There will be some data entry and sound data processing work each day, but emphasis will be on intensive field work.
Experience in at least some of the above field activities preferred, but not all required. I will teach the assistant sound recording techniques if s/he does not have experience recording sounds.
Absolutely required:
good general birding skills but especially a good ear for identifying birdsby song;
an enthusiasm for study of bird behavior;
ability to work bothin dense, thorny forest and in open areas with TOTAL exposure to very hot tropical sun;
tolerance for working in proximity to stinging ants, wasps and poisonous snakes.
Ability to speak Spanish not required butwillingness to learn is a must.
Study site is Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where we will live in a researcher dormitory. Santa Rosa is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), and is aninternationally renowned World Heritage Site. The ACG is home to wetrain forest, dry forests, cloud forests, mangroves, beaches, savannasand volcanoes. Santa Rosa is about 30 min from the small city ofLiberia. Food, housing and some travel provided.
Start date: late Mayuntil late Aug or early Sep.
*Contact*: Via email, please send resumeand a list of three references to:
ANYA ILLES, Graduate student,
University of Washington, Biology Department.