The Association of Field Ornithologists has a fellowship program aimed at supporting field researchers at all stages of their careers, including non-professional ornithologists.
The Skutch Keystone Grant is the largest grant within this program. Every year we award one or two of up to $15,000 to research projects that study the life histories (especially social relations and reproduction) of little-known birds of the continental Neotropics.
We are proud to present this year’s awardees!
The recipients of this year’s Skutch Keystone Grant are:
Valeria Ojeda
Permanent Researcher at the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) of Argentina.
Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA, CONICET-UNComahue)
Conservation Insights from Juvenile Magellanic Woodpecker Dispersal
“We aim to investigate the dispersal patterns and home range establishment of juvenile Magellanic Woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus), large birds (270–360 g) endemic to the temperate forests of southern Argentina and Chile, where they serve as a key species for conservation efforts. Our primary goal is to identify landscape configurations (“conservation landscapes”) that support the successful dispersal and territorial establishment of these woodpeckers, enabling them to colonize new areas. The Skutch Keystone Grant plays a crucial role in this effort by funding the acquisition of tracking devices (GSM/GPS tags) essential for monitoring the juvenile birds at the heart of this project.”
Sabrina Wust
Ph. D. student at the State University of Goiás (UEG)
Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Natural Resources of the Cerrado (RENAC) at the State University of Goiás (UEG), Brazil.
Breeding biology and ecology of the White-rumped Monjita (Xolmis velatus) in cavities of termite mounds in the Cerrado region.
“The Skutch Keystone grant will be essential for developing my doctoral thesis, as I can cover fieldwork costs, including car rental, fuel, and meals for the team. In addition, I will be able to purchase the necessary equipment for biometric measurements and marking the birds. This project will provide significant information on the life history, reproductive ecology, and interaction dynamics of Xolmis velatus with epigean termite mounds in the Cerrado, taking into account the effects of fire and competition for cavities with other species. I feel extremely honored to receive this award, which is a great motivation for carrying out this work and for my career as a scientist and field biologist.”
Congratulations, Valeria and Sabrina! We wish you the best with your research, and invite you to publish in the Journal of Field Ornithology when you are finished.
If you want to apply for a Skutch Keystone Grant, click here and follow the application instructions. Applications are due July 25th, 2025.
