VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS (3) needed to study behavioral ecology of White-ruffed Manakins (Corapipo altera) in Costa Rica. Three positions are available beginning 1 March and ending 29 May 2011. Assistants must be willing to commit to the full field season. White-ruffed Manakins are a small lekking passerine bird and the males perform a visual and auditory display for the females. This project investigates the range of display behaviors by males in the context of understanding the evolution of cooperative behaviors and contributes to long-term studies of the community ecology of the region. Responsibilities of all members of the field crew will include conducting behavioral observations of color-banded birds at display logs, nest searching and radiotracking through VERY dense tropical forest, mistnetting, banding, and blood sampling birds. Field assistants will also be expected to maintain and fix equipment, enter data, and participate in any additional activities that are needed at this remote field site. The research is conducted at Rara Avis Lodge and Reserve in the Sarapiqui region, Costa Rica (http://www.rara-avis.com/). Living conditions are extremely rustic: cold running water, electricity only in the evenings in the dining building and 'lab' space, and rooms likely shared with other assistants (and possibly other small critters). We will work on roughly a 12-days on, 4-days off (including travel days) schedule. I will cover all in-country expenses (travel, food, and accommodation) during the days on and during the initial and final trip to the airport. Days off are a great way for assistants to visit other areas in Costa Rica, but expenses incurred during days off are the applicants responsibility (unless applicants choose to stay at the study site). There is no internet access and only spotty telephone service at Rara Avis. However, the biodiversity (400+ species of birds, tapir, interesting bromeliads and other plants) at Rara Avis is among the richest in Central America and successful applicants will gain experience in a wide range of field techniques. Applicants should expect LOTS of rain, very muddy trails, numerous bugs, seeing venomous snakes, and long days (breakfast at 5am, out of the field around 4pm, with data entry some evenings). Applicants should be physically fit, have a strong interest in birds and animal behavior, and be capable of interacting well with others in difficult field situations. Successful applicants will have excellent field skills, experience with behavioral observations, mistnetting, nest searching, and/or radio telemetry, and the ability to read color bands on small, very fast-moving birds. Experience working in isolated field settings and/or living in close quarters as well as conversational Spanish ability are bonuses for this position. To apply, send a SINGLE document containing: 1) cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability to work on this project including your outdoors experience, 2) CV, and 3) three references (including email and phone number) familiar with your field skills, personality, and motivation to: MEGAN A. JONES, Florida State University, Department of Biological Science, (EM: majones AT bio.fsu.edu). Please use the subject line “White-ruffed Manakin field assistant application.” Applications are due by 5 December 2010.
For more info, contact:
MEGAN A. JONES, Florida State University, Department of Biological Science, 319 Stadium Dr. Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, USA (EM: majones AT bio.fsu.edu).