Birds are the world’s most diverse group of vertebrates, numbering more than 10,000 species worldwide. This makes species identification daunting. Lucky for us, we don’t even need to see birds to tell them apart. Birds make unique vocalizations that help birders and scientists identify them by sound alone. In this workshop, we will discuss different types of vocalizations, strategies for learning and recognizing different bird sounds, and work together to identify common Missoula birds by ear.

Instructor Mike Krzywicki is a biologist and educator that splits his year between Montana and Sonora, Mexico. He has ten years experience as a field ornithologist working throughout western North America, with multiple stints studying bird populations in northern Mexico, the San Francisco Bay Area, and western Montana. He is currently the Director of Navopatia Field Station, a non-profit dedicated to the research and conservation of the Costera Pitayal, a unique coastal thorn-scrub forest found only in NW Mexico.

• Clothes for changing Montana weather conditions- layers, hat, walking shoes/boots
• Water/snacks
• Journal and writing implement
• Binoculars (optional, we have some to borrow)

Cost: $35 MNHC members, $40 non-members. You can add your MNHC membership to your order when you check out. Scholarships are available. Call 327-0405.

FAQ

What’s the refund policy?

The course fee is refundable if a cancellation is made up to 7 days before the event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this deadline. In light of changes to programming due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Montana Natural History Center will make exceptions to its normal refund policy. These exceptions are as follows:

Any programs cancelled by the Montana Natural History Center are eligible for a full refund.

In the event a program fee can be rolled over to a following cycle or year, that offer will be made available to the paying program participant, and a spot will be reserved for the participant.

If a program is cancelled by a participant due to reasonable health and safety concerns from exposure risk to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Montana Natural History Center will issue a full refund.

If any participant experiences major illness, injury, or loss of a family member prior to the start of a registered program the participant is eligible for a full refund.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Nope! We will have a list of all the attendees.