You’re a what ? Ornithologist

Kathleen Green

Kathleen Green hen ornithologist Amanda Rodewald talks about tweets and is an economist angry birds, she’s not usually referring to social media and in the Office of W video games. She’s probably discussing science. Occupational “Birds have calls that they use when they’re agitated or to alarm Statistics and others of danger,” says Amanda. “In fact, there’s been research showing Employment that chickadee calls can actually communicate the size and type of a Projections, predator.” BLS. She can Ornithology is the branch of zoology related to birds. Some orni- be reached at thologists study birds to find clues about how to protect the environment. (202) 691-5717 or For example, Amanda’s research focuses on the ways that human activity green.kathleen@ bls.gov. affects birds and their ecosystems, and her findings are useful for conser- vation and land management efforts.

46 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2013 What they do biology for Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources. Ornithologists work in academia, federal But education is not limited to teaching and state agencies, wildlife and conservation college students. Outreach activities might organizations, and other institutions, such as include giving talks and making presentations the World Bank. They study birds in their to natural resources managers of government natural habitats or in the laboratory. They also and other nonprofit organizations as well as to may write research reports and proposals for people in public interest groups, birdwatching grants, teach classes, present research to the clubs, and schools. public, and have administrative duties related to these activities. Some ornithologists, like Administration. An ornithologist’s Amanda, do all these tasks. administrative tasks vary, depending on the job. Most of Amanda’s administrative duties Research and writing. Many ques- are related to her work as director of conser- tions about ornithology are best answered by vation science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithol- observing birds in the wild during fieldwork. ogy in Ithaca, New York. Her responsibilities Amanda and her students have done fieldwork include program oversight and supervision, in locations as remote as the Andes Mountains budgeting, and strategic planning. in South America and as nearby as the forests of southern Ohio and the Midwest. How they prepare Fieldwork usually involves surveying, or Ornithologists need an advanced degree for counting, birds and monitoring their nests. most jobs. But at every level of ornithology “Fieldwork is where many ornithologists work, says Amanda, academic credentials learn how to collect data for research,” says alone aren’t enough. “Education is important,” Amanda. “For example, we’ll watch and she says, “but practical experience in the field record different species foraging to discover or lab is critical.” where and what they eat.” During fieldwork, Education. Ornithologists may start out ornithologists might also attach metal or plas- with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, tic bands to a bird’s leg to help identify indi- ecology, or some other life science. Students vidual birds and aid with survival estimates. also benefit from coursework in math and But not all ornithologists work outdoors. statistics, for deciphering the quantitative side Much of the research that ornithologists do of science; communications, to gain writing is in the lab. For example, feathers collected and speaking skills; and social science, for during fieldwork are analyzed in the lab for a understanding how human behavior affects variety of purposes, including genetic map- ecosystems. ping. And some studies of migratory behavior For most professional jobs, Amanda says, or mate choice might involve observing birds ornithologists need a master’s degree that in special cages. includes a research thesis. Those who want to Ornithologists often write reports about develop their own research projects, work in their research or publish articles in scien- high-level management positions, or teach at a tific journals focused on biology, ecology, university usually need a Ph.D. in a discipline conservation, or wildlife management. And related to their work. Amanda’s degrees are in ornithologists who do research also write wildlife biology (bachelor’s), zoology (mas- grant proposals to seek funding for specific ter’s) and ecology (Ph.D.). research. Experience. Aspiring ornithologists can Teaching and outreach. In addition begin getting experience as early as high to educating people through writing about school by contacting local birdwatching clubs, birds, ornithologists share their knowledge becoming active in networks for young bird- by teaching college courses. For example, watchers, and attending workshops to learn Amanda will teach a course on conservation the basics of fieldwork.

www.bls.gov/ooq • Summer 2013 47 College students interested in ornithol- Amanda says. “That’s the worst part of the ogy should check job boards to find tempo- job.” rary positions; search online for internships, Employment and wages. The U.S. some of which may be paid; and volunteer on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not projects with ornithology, ecology, or wild- collect employment and wage data specifi- life organizations. The important thing, says cally on ornithologists. Instead, ornithologists Amanda, is to “get outside and get experi- are included among zoologists and wildlife ence.” biologists. In May 2012, BLS counted 18,650 zoologists and wildlife biologists; their What it’s like median annual wage was $57,710. The American Ornithologists’ Union, cit- Getting outside is what first drew Amanda to ing data from the Ornithological Societies of ornithology. “I loved the outdoors and always North America, estimates that there are about had a curiosity about wildlife and ecology,” 6,000 ornithologists employed in the United she says. States. But it’s difficult to determine wages or Rewards and challenges. Fieldwork a precise employment number, the organiza- allows ornithologists to combine their pas- tions say, because of the overlap among scien- sions for studying nature and being outdoors. tists in related disciplines (such as ornitholo- But that also means being out in all types of gists who also study mammals or forestry). weather—sometimes, almost every day—if Passion. Many bird enthusiasts through- there are limited times during a season to out the United States enjoy learning more observe a particular species. Also, there is about these creatures. Employment estimates travel to and from field locations and a vari- don’t count the large and growing segment of able work schedule that is far from standard. citizen scientists in ornithology: trained hob- But because ornithologists love what they byists, students, and volunteers who collect do, says Amanda, they don’t mind the unpre- real data for science because of their interest dictable climate and hours. “So often when in birds. “This is one area where amateurs can working outside in these beautiful field loca- be exceptionally important,” Amanda says. tions, surrounded by such fascinating birds, Whether employed as ornithologists or I can’t believe that I am actually paid to do doing fieldwork as citizen scientists, these this,” she says. nature enthusiasts share the same passion. Erratic financial support is a different “Our work is meaningful,” says Amanda. story. “There’s a lot of uncertainty about “We’re helping to conserve the world around funding, both for research and for education,” us.”

For ornithologist Amanda Rodewald, fieldwork often includes capturing birds to band them.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Rodewald. 48 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Summer 2013