Powdermill Avian Research Center

Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC) is part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s biological research station Powdermill Nature Reserve.  PARC operates a bird banding station, conducts bioacoustical research, and performs flight tunnel analysis with the goal of reducing window collisions.
 
Located in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the PARC facility and its 10-hectares of fields, hedgerows, ponds, wetlands, and streams offer a unique opportunity for research partnerships.  Graduate students and field researchers find exciting opportunities at PARC in a variety of areas related to our woodland setting.  Additionally, volunteers and interns have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge of avian research by committing to a summer of assisting in PARC’s bird banding efforts.
 
With more than 50 years experience, and having surpassed a milestone of 500,000 birds banded in 2001, PARC is uniquely situated to capitalize on its bird capture techniques.  Birds studied through our banding program may also be utilized for bioacoustical, window avoidance, telemetry studies and more, all while handling these species in a gentle and humane manner.  In this way PARC contributes both to our knowledge of migrating species and to their enhanced survival as well.