“Ornithology is the scientific study of birds. Like other natural science subjects, it usually involves answering questions about the specific subject,” explains Doug Harebottle. An ornithologist working in the Avian Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town. “Questions related to the field of ornithology can include: why are bird populations declining? How does a Swallow manage to fly 15 000 km from London to Johannesburg and return to the same nest-site every year? Or, what makes a penguin swim so well underwater?”

From a very young age, Doug has had a keen interest in wildlife and nature. After being introduced to the topic of birds when he was in high school (during a meeting at a wildlife club) and after speaking to his parents, a career guidance counsellor, and an experienced birder at a local bird club, he became even more interested in birds and decided that he wanted to make this (or at least nature conservation) his career.

Basics

An ornithologist, also known as a bird researcher or bird biologist, earns in the region of R150 000 per annum – but this varies depending on position. An academic ornithologist (lecturer or professor) usually earns more than a field or general ornithologist who works at, for example, provincial or NGO level.

Job description

“Ornithologists are usually involved in particular studies of birds with the aim of developing a better understanding of the role of birds in the environment, and contributing to their conservation. Some of the fields of study include nesting and breeding behaviour; looking at the naming and ordering of different species; catching and marking birds to study their migration patterns and monitoring their population numbers.”

Pros and cons

“The pros of this job are that you get to work outdoors quite a lot, you contribute to the long-term conservation of birds, and you are always discovering new facts about certain species. The cons are that you may have to travel frequently, and the pay is generally not very good.”

Required studies and experience

“There are two study routes that one can follow to become an ornithologist – one is to study for a BSc degree at a university, and the other is to study for a nature conservation diploma at a Technikon. There are no specific  ornithological courses or degrees offered in South Africa, therefore you would have to do a general biology/zoology degree or a nature conservation diploma before being able to specialise in birds or bird-related research. The BSc degree is a three-year course which should then be followed by a one-year BSc (Hons) degree, and a two- to three-year Master of Science (MSc) degree where

one specialises in ornithology or research aimed at the broader ornithological context. An MSc degree is probably the minimum requirement nowadays to get a job as a research scientist in ornithology. One can then go on to do a Doctor of Philsophy (PhD) degree, which recognises you as an authority as a research scientist in a chosen field (in this case ornithology). The Technikon diploma route is a more general, applied route, which will allow you to specialise in bird research during your practical year (which is usually in the third year).”

Personality types

“A person who wants to follow this career should be a hard-working, dedicated and committed person with the ability to interact well with people. One should obviously  have a passion for birds, conservation and the environment.”

An average day

“When I get to the office in the morning I usually read and respond to urgent emails. I then go out into the field and carry out surveys such as nest counts, water-bird counts, and catching and marking birds. Other responsibilities include entering field data into the computer, writing reports, preparing scientific papers for publication in scientific journals, and attending meetings that usually involve project management issues or conservation related issues.”

The best thing about the job

“I often get to work outdoors but also have time indoors to work on project administration and data analysis, so there’s a good balance between the two. Other pros include the fact that I don’t need to dress formally (i.e. no suit and tie!); knowing that I (as part of a small contingent of ornithologists in the country) can make a difference to bird and biodiversity conservation in South Africa; and I am able to attend conferences where I meet new contacts and network with people who are working on similar projects.”

The worst thing about the job

“Long hours in front of the computer are often necessary, and being away from home when travelling are the negative sides to the job.”

In conclusion

“Becoming an ornithologist should not be a career choice if you are intent on making lots of money. Although one can earn a fairly decent salary and live reasonably comfortably, this career should be viewed more in the light of job satisfaction and being able to make a difference in the fields of science and conservation (in other words you’re in it for the love of the work and not for the money). It also allows you the opportunity to teach people about the importance of birds, the environment and the roles that birds play in the environment.” 

Chantelle Gradidge