Volunteer with Birds Around the World

Are you a bird lover seeking an alternative travel experience that lets you give back? Volunteering abroad in bird conservation is the perfect way to combine your passions with meaningful travel. 

In this guide, we’ll explore global volunteer programs for bird lovers – spanning multiple continents and organized by some of the world’s top volunteer organizations. These programs allow you to travel with purpose. Let’s take a tour of some highly-rated bird conservation volunteer programs – and don’t forget your binoculars!

Wildlife Rescue in Namibia with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

IVHQ is known for affordable and impactful volunteer programs worldwide. For bird lovers, IVHQ’s Wildlife Rescue project in Namibia is ideal, set at a sanctuary caring for orphaned and injured wildlife, including birds of prey. Volunteers help rehabilitate animals for release into the wild, assisting with feeding, enclosure maintenance, and monitoring rescued birds. Experience hands-on conservation surrounded by Namibia’s breathtaking desert landscapes and iconic bird species, like African fish eagles and flamingos. 

No prior experience needed — just passion and an adventurous spirit. Learn more about IVHQ Namibia Wildlife Rescue here and get ready to go “into the wild” with purpose!

Bird Programs with GoEco

GoEco is a leading eco-volunteer organization known for combining adventure, cultural immersion, and wildlife impact. Two of their top programs for bird enthusiasts span very different corners of the globe:

African Penguin & Seabird Rescue in South Africa

GoEco’s Penguin Sanctuary project in South Africa places you on the frontlines of saving the endangered African Penguin. Based near Cape Town, you’ll assist local conservationists in rehabilitating sick and injured penguins and other marine birds. Volunteers help with daily tasks like feeding hungry penguin chicks, cleaning and repairing pens, and even participating in “penguin swims” during release efforts. It’s a hands-on seabird rescue mission where your efforts directly aid in protecting a species threatened by oil spills and habitat loss. 

Ready to waddle in and help? Volunteer at the Penguin Sanctuary in South Africa here and be part of an inspiring marine bird conservation story.

Macaw Conservation & Wildlife Sanctuary in Costa Rica

This volunteer program is perfect for bird lovers, set in a Costa Rican rainforest sanctuary rehabilitating scarlet macaws, toucans, and other exotic birds, alongside monkeys and sloths. Volunteers prepare animal meals, feed and enrich macaws, maintain aviaries, and assist in habitat restoration. 

Surrounded by vibrant birdlife, you’ll wake to parrots and drift asleep to jungle sounds. Days off offer opportunities to explore cloud forests, spot hummingbirds and quetzals, and experience unparalleled birdwatching. Interested in volunteering in this tropical paradise?

Check out the Macaw Sanctuary program in Costa Rica and start your tropical bird adventure.

Wildlife Conservation in the Galapagos with Projects Abroad 

The Galápagos Islands are the ultimate birdwatching bucket-list destination. With Projects Abroad on San Cristóbal Island, volunteers protect unique wildlife, including iconic birds like blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and Galápagos finches. Tasks include conducting bird surveys, removing invasive species, and restoring native habitats. 

Working in Galápagos National Park, you’ll experience a natural laboratory unlike anywhere else on Earth — surrounded by fearless animals and birds in an unforgettable conservation adventure.

If you’re an adventurous birder, volunteering in the Galápagos will be like stepping into a National Geographic documentary. Ready to spread your wings with Projects Abroad? Explore Projects Abroad’s wildlife conservation programs here. 

Wildlife Photography & Conservation in South Africa with African Impact

Love wildlife and photography? African Impact’s Wildlife Photography & Conservation project in South Africa’s Greater Kruger area combines both passions. Volunteers photograph birds and animals on game drives and bush walks, aiding local research and conservation efforts. 

Learn professional photography techniques, study animal behavior, and immerse yourself in Kruger’s incredible birdlife — over 500 species, from majestic eagles to colorful lilac-breasted rollers. Capture stunning moments while making a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation.

Ready to capture incredible wildlife moments? Join African Impact’s Wildlife Photography & Conservation project here. 

Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) 

IVI is an Australian non-profit that places volunteers in grassroots projects worldwide. Bird lovers will be excited to hear that in Ecuador, IVI has programs where you can help at wildlife rescue centers that care for an astonishing variety of animals, including many bird species.

Animal Shelter in Azuay (Andean Highlands) 

This wildlife refuge near Cuenca, Ecuador, is home to over 600 rescued animals, including Amazon parrots, blue-footed boobies, and even penguins. Volunteers help with feeding, cleaning, and enrichment, while also guiding school groups and teaching conservation. Set in the scenic Andes—home to hummingbirds and condors—it’s a rewarding, hands-on experience with stunning birdwatching all around.

Interested in this one-of-a-kind experience? Learn more about the Animal Shelter volunteer program in Azuay, Ecuador.

Animal Rescue Center in Macas (Amazon Rainforest) 

Want to live in the Amazon and help wildlife? IVI’s project in Macas, Ecuador, places you in a rescue center rehabilitating animals affected by trafficking or habitat loss. From feeding parrots to caring for injured hawks, every day brings new hands-on tasks. Surrounded by macaws, toucans, and tropical birdsong, it’s a truly immersive conservation experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

Keen to go to the Amazon? Sign up for IVI’s Animal Rescue Center in Macas, Ecuador, and get ready for an eye-opening adventure.

Penguin Rescue in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)

VolSol’s Penguin Rescue project in South Africa lets you care for endangered African penguins and other marine birds. Volunteers help with feeding, basic care, cleaning enclosures, and releasing birds back to the wild. You may also support marine education efforts. It’s a hands-on, rewarding experience with every successful penguin release.

Ready to lend a hand (and a fish) to a penguin in need? Find out more about Volunteering Solutions’ Penguin Rescue program in South Africa. 

Bird Research Expedition in Costa Rica with Global Vision International (GVI)

For birdwatchers, GVI’s Bird Research program in Costa Rica is a dream come true. Set on the Caribbean slopes near the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, this project focuses on both resident birds and the spectacular annual raptor migration, where millions of hawks and vultures pass overhead.

As a volunteer, you’ll conduct bird population surveys, assist in mist-netting and banding birds, track migrating raptors, and record crucial data. No prior experience is required—you’ll receive expert training from local ornithologists.

From vibrant quetzals to soaring hawks, you’ll directly help protect Costa Rica’s incredible birdlife, making a lasting impact.

Sound like your ideal adventure? Sign up for GVI’s Bird Research Volunteer Program in Costa Rica. Spots can fill up fast (raptor migration season is particularly popular), so don’t wait too long to grab your chance to join this birdwatcher’s paradise volunteer expedition.

Ready to Embark on Your Bird Lover’s Volunteer Vacation?

Birdwatching volunteer programs offer a unique way to travel while supporting conservation efforts around the globe. Whether rehabilitating penguins in South Africa, monitoring raptors in Costa Rica, or protecting endemic species in the Galápagos, you’ll gain hands-on experience, unforgettable memories, and meaningful connections with nature and communities.

Each project provides a chance to directly impact bird welfare, making your journey rewarding beyond typical tourism. Ready to take flight? Choose a program above, grab your binoculars, and transform your love for birds into an adventure that truly makes a difference. Your volunteer vacation — and the world’s birds — await your arrival!