One M.S. assistantship in the Department of Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX is available starting in August 2015 to study the distribution and habitat use of western Yellow-billed Cuckoos, southwestern Willow Flycatchers, and other riparian songbirds in West Texas. Study sites will be along the Rio Grande, in Big Bend National Park, Davis Mountains, and other private and public properties in west Texas. Fieldwork will include conducting presence surveys for birds, vegetation surveys, and nest searching. The student must be physically fit and capable of hiking across rugged terrain, along stream corridors, and navigating off-trail. The student must be willing to work in remote locations along the US and Mexico border.