Save Our Songbirds

Many species of migratory songbirds that breed in North America are in decline and no one seems to know exactly why. It is thought that these declines may be due to loses on the wintering grounds in Central America. What is desperately needed are biologists in the field monitoring wintering songbirds to provide scientists with data to find out what is happening. We put biologists in the field.

Our Mission

Our goal is to ensure the long-term survival of migratory songbirds through an integrated conservation program of research, management & education.

What We Do

We run four migratory songbird monitoring stations in mangrove swamps in Costa Rica 
collecting data on wintering songbirds. This project includes research, community 
outreach, and education activities. 

We work in collaboration with The Institute for Bird Populations,

http://www.birdpop.org/MoSI/MoSI.htm, 

The Center for Tropical Research & Conservation Genetics, 

 http://www.ioe.ucla.edu/CTR/research/AvPath/avian_influenza_main.html, 

the Canadian Wildlife Service, http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/,

Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/, 

Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, http://www.tbfn.net/tcbotbfn.htm

 and Bird Studies Canada www.bsc-eoc.org/.

In order to perform this work we must take on multiple roles, becoming volunteer coordinators, educators, ambassadors for Canada, and fundraisers. At our banding locations in Costa Rica we provide aspiring young biologists with opportunities to learn field techniques through participating in our field research.

We also provide public programs in campgrounds near our study sites giving young and old alike unique experiences with birds up close and opportunities to learn more about them. Questions about our home, Canada, are frequently intermingled with those on birds. Which brings us full circle, for our two countries share many of the same birds at different seasons.

As fundraisers we have built this website not only to share with you our experiences but also to attract your attention, maybe spark some interest, and generate some support for the work we do. Currently government grants cover less than 25% of our costs.

Our Blog!

You Can Help

Become a member. Members receive monthly email newsletters over the winter with stories & photos of our research activities and other sights in Costa Rica.
‘Adopt a bird’ and you will also receive a printable certificate with a photo of the bird you adopt along its band number, where it was captured, its species, age, & sex AND you will receive email notification of encounters we have with ‘your’ bird in the future.

Membership cost is $10 per year

Adopt a bird for $50 per bird.

Our Shopping Page

For more information contact us, using our on-line postcard.

If you prefer  payments & donations can be mailed to:

Save Our Song Birds
c/o 401 Adams Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7A 1B8

We accept Visa, Mastercard & American Express

A tax receipt will be issued at the end of the year.

Corporate sponsors welcome.