INTERNATIONAL
A combination of factors has led to Idaho Bird Observatory being an organization committed to providing opportunities for foreign biologists. The most important of these factors is our interest in building meaningful connections with biologists in countries where the birds we study in Idaho spend the winter (which includes anywhere from southern Idaho to southern South America) in the hope that we can enhance migratory bird conservation.
Beginning in 1997, IBO assisted with establishing the first raptor migration count site in northern Colombia. Colombian biologists and university students learned how to conduct standardized raptor migration counts and operate a banding station. The site was successfully funded and operated for several years.
We assisted in the training of a total of four Colombian university students in raptor identification, counting and data recording techniques, capture and handling techniques, banding techniques, and data summary and reporting. Of these four students, two were subsequently accepted into the international internship program at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania. Both students then traveled to Boise, Idaho, and trained further with IBO in songbird mist netting, raptor counting, capture, and banding techniques, as well as forest owl banding on the Boise Ridge. One of these students returned to Colombia and established a passerine migration banding station along the northern coast of Colombia, the first project of its kind in the country's history.
We have also hosted interns from Germany, Hungary, Venezuela, and Argentina. One of our Hungarian interns is pursuing a doctorate degree studying migration stopover in Mississippi. Others have gone on to have successful careers in ornithology back in their home countries or abroad.
We hope to continue this international connection into the future. We estimate needing about $3000/year in order to fund travel-related expenses for 2 international interns per year. If you would like to support IBO’s efforts in this regard, please consider donating to our program. Be sure to designate “IBO’s International Program” along with your donation. Thanks!
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