About this Collection
2025 Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Training
In coordination with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, the US Fish and Wildlife Service offers a FREE Yellow-billed Cuckoo Surveyor Training every year in New Mexico.
Federal Permits (required for all recovery studies pertaining to cuckoos including presence/absence surveys): Visit . Permit processing procedures necessitate applying 90-days in advance of planned surveys to ensure timely issuance of the permit. We strongly recommend applying for survey permits at least 3 months prior to the survey season to ensure the permit processing is completed. Cost is $100 for a new permit and $50 for an amendment to add the species to a current permit. For all individual named on the permit, include resumes with documentation of experience and as well as past attendance at a training class. Cuckoo protocol training within the past 5 years and previous experience with cuckoos and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian avian species surveys is required for presence/absence permitting in New Mexico.
State (NM) Permits: State permits are required for all recovery studies, including presence/absence surveys. Visit for the application; contact dgf.permits@state.nm.gov for more information.
Permit reports must be sent to the respective Ecological Services Field Office in the state(s) where surveys are conducted, immediately following each field season. Annual reports are necessary to maintain valid survey permits. These reports provide us with valuable information regarding distribution of yellow-billed cuckoo. Negative results are just as important to submit as positive results; in addition, annual reports should be submitted even if you did not survey for the species that year.
Please submit all survey forms in excel format electronically to the New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office in addition to required submission locations based on your permit.
Registration Information
The training will be offered at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antionio, NM. The dates are June 12-13, 2025. The training is comprised of an in-person classroom session and a field session. Participants must attend and sign up for one field day. To register for this training, please contact Jennifer Davis (Jennifer_L_Davis@fws.gov). Send your 1) Name, 2) Contact info, 3) Organization, 4) Previous experience with the species, and 5) Which day you can attend the field training. Registration is limited to 40 participants.
Instructors:
Dave Moore, US Bureau of Reclamation
Matt Bullard, US Bureau of Reclamation
Tori Barron, US Bureau of Reclamation
Jenny Davis, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Erin Duvuvuei, NM Department of Game and Fish
This training emphasizes identification of yellow-billed cuckoo habitats, species identification by sight and sound, and use of the survey protocol. If you have completed a previous training session for yellow-billed cuckoo surveys, it must have included a field portion, otherwise this survey training is mandatory for permit applicants who plan to conduct yellow-billed cuckoo surveys in New Mexico.
The primary objectives of the survey training course in New Mexico are to:
- ensure consistency and quality of surveys following Service-approved protocol;
- ensure surveyors meet all requirements of Endangered Species Act consultation and compliance;
- increase the number of qualified surveyors; and
- increase the Service鈥檚 knowledge of the distribution of this endangered bird.
Can鈥檛 make it to the New Mexico Training? Check with the Utah Ecological Services Field Office Western Yellow-billed cuckoo Training.