Parrot Conservation Graduate Research

Hi. I am writing with more of an educational question. I am currently an
undergraduate Biology student and wish to go on for my M.S./PhD. I have a general interest in avian conservation but I would like to focus my
research on parrot conservation. With this in mind, I have searched the
internet exhaustively to find professors doing research on parrot
conservation and can’t seem to find anyone - in the U.S. that is. I’ve
come across many professors studying parrot vocalizations, but no one
really doing conservation work. Do you know of anyone in the U.S. that is
studying parrots, or would be willing to support a student who would like
to? I’m not sure how closely my interests have to correspond with the
interests of the professor, but it would be nice to work with someone who
knows a little about parrot ecology and behavior.

Any help you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated!

Dear Sandra,

Your question is a very good one, and one we are often asked at WPT, and if you don’t mind, I’m going to assume you’re asking about field work on wild parrots.  Although there is a lot of student interest in such work, I’m afraid there aren’t a lot of slots out there waiting for new students to come along and show such interest.  One short answer to your question is to simply spend time on Google Scholar searching for as many current papers on parrots, conservation, behavior, and the other things that interest you, read the papers, learn which professors are focused on things that interest you, and narrow down your search that way. 

In addition, because parrots mostly live in countries other than where these graduate schools are located, there are nearly always language and cultural challenges which need to be addressed.  If you haven’t already traveled to the country or area in question, when possible, we encourage students to take the time to do so, and to try to visit field sites while they’re there.  That usually gives you a very clear and direct experience with all sorts of realities which will be crucial to designing and carrying out a successful field research program.  It also helps you make a credible case when you’re approaching the faculty members you’ve selected as to why you’ve chosen that country (or site or species), how you think you can get the work done, and what research questions you think are important and answerable.

In my experience, most faculty feel they have a full plate most of the time.  But they are also inspired by new students who have shown initiative and have taken several steps toward the launch of a serious graduate research effort.

Best of luck, and I look forward to one day hearing from one of my parrot colleagues about this “highly motivated new student named Sandra ....”

All best wishes,

Jamie