Hummingbird Field Assistant

Location

Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, Palm Desert, CA

Country:
United States

Last Date to Apply: 11/30/2025

The Animal Aeroacoustics Lab in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at University of California, Riverside is seeking a volunteer Hummingbird Field Assistant for a PhD project investigating the mating system of Costa’s Hummingbirds at the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, California. Costa’s Hummingbirds (Calypte costae) are a remarkable desert specialists exhibiting strong sexual dimorphism. Males possess dazzling purple throat feathers (gorget) and perform elaborate aerial displays that produce sonations with their outer tail feathers.

Males also defend flower-rich territories during the breeding season. This project seeks to disentangle the roles of male attributes and territory quality in determining mating success. The fieldsite is a serene section of the Sonoran Desert managed by the UC Nature Reserve System featuring flat, easily walkable terrain and access to desert wildlife. The site is 30 minutes to the city of Palm Desert but restricted to researchers, offering a rare opportunity to work in a quiet desert reserve within busy Southern California.

Housing at Boyd Deep Canyon will be provided, along with a $3,000 honorarium upon completion of the field season to help offset costs such as health insurance and personal expenses.

• 12 weeks
• Flexible within January 12 - April 30, 2026

• Search for hummingbird nests
• Monitor nest status
• Assist in capturing hummingbirds
• Survey and map hummingbird territories

• Interest in birds and fieldwork
• Strong work ethic, enthusiasm, patience, and positive attitude
• Physically fit and comfortable working under sun exposure
• Ability to navigate using Google Maps
• Keen eyesight to identify small birds from a distance
• Willingness to start early in the morning

• Prior field experience and bird identification skills (by sight and sound)
• Experience handling and banding hummingbirds
• Access to a personal vehicle for travel to the research station

Boyd Deep Canyon offers dormitory-style housing suitable for short-term stays. The lead researcher typically stays on site 4–5 days per week and commutes to the University of California, Riverside once a week. The assistant may choose to stay on site for the duration of the fieldwork or commute back and forth if based in the Southern California region.

This position is suitable for individuals who are passionate about birds and hands-on field research at any stage of their career. It provides valuable experience in behavioral ecology, field techniques, and data collection for those interested in ornithology or pursuing graduate research.

• A short paragraph describing your relevant experience and interests in the project
• A current resume or CV

Interviews will begin in December, 2025.