Ornithologists are scientists who study birds. There are many different kinds of jobs that ornithologists can pursue in this field. Some of the most common jobs that ornithologists hold include:
Academic Jobs
Many ornithologists work in academic settings such as universities, colleges, museums, and research institutes. In these jobs, ornithologists may:
- Conduct research on birds
- Publish papers on their findings
- Apply for research grants
- Teach undergraduate and graduate students
- Supervise students conducting research
- Curate bird collections and specimens
Academic ornithologists often specialize in a particular group of birds or specific research topics. For example, some may study bird evolution and phylogeny, while others might focus on bird behavior, avian diseases, or bird genetics. Teaching responsibilities vary, but can include undergraduate courses in biology, ecology, zoology, and ornithology as well as graduate seminars.
Field Biologists
Many ornithologists have jobs conducting field research on birds. Field biologists may work for government agencies, non-profits, universities, or as private consultants. Their job duties commonly include:
- Designing and conducting scientific studies on birds in their natural habitats
- Capturing, handling, and tagging birds to track migrations or study biology
- Collecting field data and samples such as feathers, blood, ectoparasites, or genetic material
- Analyzing diet, habitat use, behavior, and demographics
- Writing technical reports and research papers
- Presenting findings at professional conferences
Field biologists frequently perform avian population surveys and collect data at bird banding stations. They may also specialize in a particular group of birds, type of habitat, or field technique.
Conservation Scientists
Some ornithologists have jobs focused on conservation research and applied science to protect birds. Their responsibilities may include:
- Researching population trends and threats to rare or endangered bird species
- Developing management plans for at-risk species
- Recommending habitat protection policies and sites
- Monitoring effects of environmental contaminants and climate change
- Promoting sustainable land use and responsible industry practices
- Educating the public on conservation issues
Conservation ornithologists often collaborate with government wildlife agencies, environmental groups, industry, and landowners. Their work aims to apply scientific research to policy and management decisions impacting birds.
Wildlife Rehabilitators
Some ornithologists are trained in wildlife medicine and work in wildlife rehabilitation centers caring for sick, injured, and orphaned birds. Their job responsibilities may include:
- Providing emergency and supportive medical care to wild birds
- Diagnosing injuries and diseases in avian patients
- Performing surgery and other treatments as needed
- Administering medications, fluids, and nutritional support
- Caring for baby birds and teaching them skills to survive in the wild
- Releasing rehabilitated birds back into appropriate habitats
- Maintaining medical records
- Training staff and volunteers
These ornithologists have specialized training in veterinary medicine, physiology, nutrition, and husbandry for a wide diversity of wild bird species. They provide an important service for conservation.
Population Biologists
Some ornithological jobs involve studying bird populations, demographic trends, and distribution patterns. Population biologists may:
- Design surveys to estimate population sizes and densities
- Collect data on births, deaths, immigration, and emigration
- Develop population viability models
- Analyze factors influencing population growth and decline
- Investigate range shifts related to climate change
- Map species distributions using tools like GIS
Their research provides crucial data for conservation efforts and advancing ecological understanding. Government agencies and non-profits employ many population biologists.
Physiologists
Some ornithologists specialize in avian physiology—the mechanical, biochemical, and electrical functions that enable birds to grow, reproduce, and behave. Research topics may include:
- Cardiovascular, respiratory, and thermoregulatory physiology
- Metabolism, digestion, and excretion
- Mechanisms of flight, diving, and altitude adaptation
- Sensory systems such as vision, hearing, magnetoreception
- Endocrinology and control of annual cycles
- Egg formation and embryo development
Physiological studies provide fundamental scientific knowledge and may have applied uses for conservation, veterinary medicine, and taxonomy.
Behavioral Ecologists
Behavioral ecologists specifically study how bird behaviors relate to ecology and evolution. Their research often addresses topics like:
- Foraging strategies and adaptations
- Mating systems, territoriality, and breeding displays
- Parental care and chick rearing behaviors
- Flocking dynamics and social systems
- Migration, homing, and navigational mechanisms
- Cognitive abilities such as learning, memory, and tool use
- Communication through bird calls and songs
Field and laboratory studies reveal the selective pressures and advantages driving the evolution of diverse bird behaviors.
Geneticists
Some ornithologists analyze the genome, chromosomes, and DNA of birds. Molecular genetics provides insights into:
- Phylogenetic relationships between bird families
- Population genetics and genetic diversity
- The genetic basis of morphological traits
- The evolution of complicated courtship rituals
- Genetic components of migratory behavior
- Inbreeding effects in small populations
Genetics facilities allow ornithologists to study DNA from feathers, blood samples, eggshells, and museum specimens. Bioinformatics tools help analyze the massive genetic datasets.
Evolutionary Biologists
Many ornithologists study bird evolution and phylogeny. Their work may include:
- Constructing evolutionary trees to study divergence times, ancestry, and taxonomic classification
- Analyzing fossil records to trace morphological changes over time
- Investigating how flight, songs, migration, and feather colors evolved
- Comparing DNA across avian groups to study adaptation
- Examining hybrid zones to learn about speciation
- Using biogeography to understand dispersal patterns
Evolutionary research draws from various biological disciplines to explain the origins of avian biodiversity.
Paleontologists
Paleornithology is the branch of ornithology dealing with the study of fossil bird remains. Paleontologists may:
- Discover avian fossils during geological surveys and digs
- Excavate and prepare fossil specimens in the lab
- Describe new extinct species based on fossil morphology
- Study how skeletal structure relates to flight adaptation
- Use fossils to date the emergence of modern bird groups
- Reconstruct the ecology of past environments from community assemblages
The fossil record provides unique insights into the evolutionary history of birds over millions of years.
Taxonomists
Taxonomists specialize in identifying, describing, naming, and classifying different bird species. Their work includes:
- Comparing plumage patterns, sizes, calls, genetics, and other traits to delimit species
- Describing distinctive features of new species in scientific literature
- Assigning scientific names in accordance with international codes
- Revising classifications when new information suggests lumping or splitting taxa
- Curating museum collections by labelling, cataloguing, and preserving specimens
Taxonomists help document global biodiversity and clarify evolutionary relationships between organisms.
Avian Infectious Disease Specialists
Some ornithologists study infectious diseases in birds. Their work focuses on topics like:
- Disease ecology and transmission dynamics in wild populations
- Effects of infections on host fitness, reproduction, and survival
- Diagnostic testing methods
- Genomics of avian pathogens
- Immunological responses in hosts
- Evolution of virulence
- Vaccine development
Understanding avian diseases is crucial for controlling outbreaks in wild birds and poultry. Both virologists and epidemiologists contribute to this field.
Ecologists
Many ornithologists study the ecological roles and relationships of birds. Topics may include:
- Bird assemblages in different biomes and habitats
- Feeding guilds and food webs
- Plant-bird mutualisms like seed dispersal and pollination
- Impacts on ecosystems as herbivores, predators, and prey
- Indicators of environmental change
- Effects of competition, predation, and disturbance
Ornithological approaches enhance our understanding of community ecology, biodiversity, and conservation biology.
Statisticians
Many ornithological studies require statistical expertise to design robust studies and analyze complex data. Statisticians may:
- Advise on appropriate sampling methodologies
- Perform power analyses to determine needed sample sizes
- Develop models to control for confounding variables
- Apply statistical tests to identify significant patterns and trends
- Quantify sources of uncertainty and error
- Interpret results and draw conclusions from large, multivariate datasets
Their quantitative skills allow for rigorous hypothesis testing critical to advancing scientific knowledge.
Outreach Educators
Some ornithologists enjoy jobs teaching non-academic audiences and raising awareness about birds. Their duties may include:
- Leading public tours, workshops, and lectures
- Developing exhibits for zoos, aquariums, museums, and nature centers
- Producing bird-watching resources, field guides, and other media
- Organizing community science initiatives like bird counts and banding programs
- Engaging students through school visits, field trips, and youth camps
Outreach and education help generate public interest in ornithology while imparting ecological knowledge.
Journalists and Writers
Some ornithologists enjoy conveying research findings, conservation issues, and birding adventures to general audiences through writing. Opportunities include:
- Publishing natural history essays in magazines
- Writing columns for birding newsletters and websites
- Producing field guides with detailed species accounts
- Authoring books on bird biology, ecology, behavior, and conservation
- Reporting for mainstream news outlets on avian research
Strong writing skills allow ornithologists to reach broad public readership and share their passion for birds.
Photographers
Many ornithologists are also talented wildlife photographers. They may:
- Capture high-quality photos of birds for field guides, articles, lectures, or research
- Aim to document little-seen behaviors and rare species
- Advise others on bird photography techniques and equipment
- Lead photo tours taking enthusiasts to premier birding destinations
- Sell avian stock photos to publishers, magazines, museums, and other media
Photography provides an important tool for research documentation while allowing creative expression.
Consultants
Some ornithologists work as private consultants on a contractual basis for government agencies, companies, landowners, or non-profits. Consultants may:
- Conduct environmental assessments required for permits and development
- Design and implement ecological monitoring programs
- Evaluate impacts of industry operations and infrastructure
- Recommend management practices and mitigation measures
- Assess compliance with environmental regulations and guidelines
They apply their expertise to address specific client needs and policy decisions regarding birds.
Collection Managers
Ornithology collections in museums require dedicated staff to oversee management, growth, and accessibility. Collection managers are responsible for:
- Processing, cataloguing, and preserving new specimens
- Curating and improving existing holdings
- Implementing policies for loans, access, and destructive sampling
- Conducting inventories and database upkeep
- Controlling temperature, humidity, light, and pests in collection spaces
- Budgeting and strategic planning
Well-maintained collections provide essential infrastructure for biodiversity research and education.
Conclusion
Ornithologists occupy diverse professional roles united by a passion for advancing scientific understanding of birds and applying that knowledge to education, conservation, and policy. While their work environments and specific duties vary, ornithologists share the common purpose of gaining insights into avian biology, behavior, ecology, and evolution through rigorous field and laboratory research. As threats to bird populations grow, ornithological expertise will remain critical for effective ecosystem management and protection of global avifauna biodiversity.