Profile of Ana María González Prieto
Wonder and curiosity as keys to success in science

Ana González remembers the day that a question popped into her mind about bird migration. Ana grew up in Colombia and did part of her university studies in this country, which is home to over 1,950 species of birds and represents approximately 20 percent of the world's avian biodiversity. Ironically, it wasn't until the end of her bachelor's degree that the scientist had her first day of ornithology. After observing over 90 bird species in one morning, it was clear to Ana that she was going to study the behaviour of these fascinating animals.

Her first research topic was altitudinal distribution in the Andes. “At the time, I wasn't interested in bird migration, since in Colombia you live in the middle of an amalgam of birds full-time. It was when I went to San Andrés in the autumn and saw hundreds of birds land on the island, exhausted and skinny, that I was awakened to the aspects of migration. I asked myself, ‘Where do these birds come from?’” said the ecologist. This question stayed with Ana until she arrived in Canada, and now she wonders, “Where are these birds going?”

The challenges of studying migratory birds

Ana mainly studies small songbirds, which are a challenge for long-distance tracking. “Satellite transmitters are too heavy for our birds. We have to use technologies that are less precise than those used on larger birds. It's limiting, but it pushes us to find different methods,” explains Ana.

There’s also another issue—the different social and economic contexts of communities found along the birds' migratory routes. According to Ana, “We sometimes forget that birds share their winter habitats with vulnerable communities. In Latin America, part of the population struggles to meet its basic needs, in addition to having to deal with the environmental challenges of our time. Some farmers have only a small piece of land. While preserving habitats in bird wintering areas is a conservation priority, we can't ignore the fact that these people's priority is to ensure their subsistence.”

What if our coffee is stronger than we think?

Habitat loss on songbird wintering grounds is a threat to many bird populations. During her post-doctoral studies, Ana wanted to find out more about shaded coffee plantations. These plantations differ from so-called “full sun” or “conventional” plantations—they contain a rich diversity of flora and fauna, capture more carbon, and improve farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change. Assessing the quality of these ecosystems for migratory birds in comparison with forest ecosystems, Ana concluded that although survival rates for migratory birds are similar in each habitat, bird density is higher in forest environments. “The shaded coffee plantations represent a high-quality habitat for our birds,” says Ana, “but our findings also show that preserving tropical forests is essential for maintaining a high level of biodiversity.”

And how can we encourage the maintenance and development of shade-grown coffee plantations? “Choose a Bird Friendly certified coffee, either online or at points of sale, even if access to this type of coffee is sometimes difficult. At the moment, coffee counters or supermarkets rarely offer it because few people are aware of the environmental impact our daily cup of coffee has. It's an individual choice, but by asking for this certified coffee from the person in charge of purchasing at your office, or at your local grocery store, Bird Friendly coffee will rise in popularity. It’s a win-win situation for farmers, biodiversity, and the environment,” explains Ana.

“Never stop being amazed by nature.”

Now holding a permanent position with Environment and Climate Change Canada in the protected areas team based in British Columbia, Ana continues to be driven by biodiversity issues. A key aspect of her daily routine is contact with international organizations, government representatives, Indigenous communities, and the local population. “You can't advance science and conservation by working in isolation. When you study migratory birds, you quickly realize that everything is interconnected,” says Ana.

It's while drinking her morning coffee that Ana takes the time to recognize the importance of transforming every simple moment into a meaningful one. “We have the power to make these moments wonderful, if we take the time to appreciate what surrounds us. It's fascinating to think that the coffee I'm tasting comes straight from the mountains of South America, and that the birds I'm watching eat at my feeder will be staying there this winter! It's beauty itself, and we should never stop marvelling at nature,” concludes Ana, before returning to her many scientific investigations.