Kyle Waites

Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in 2011, where his undergraduate research focused on the breeding ecology of Abert’s Towhees. He currently serves as the Collection Manager of Birds at the Phoenix Zoo, where he oversees the care of a diverse collection of bird species and is involved with conservation, education, and public engagement programs. He also contributes to Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) programs by serving on the Avian Scientific Advisory Group (ASAG) and Galliformes Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) steering committees. His hands-on experience working closely with birds has given him a deep appreciation for their complexity and the urgent need to protect them in the wild.

Kyle is the founder of Curassow Conservation and has been working in Colombia since 2018, leading its flagship initiative, Proyecto Paujil. Through partnerships with local communities and conservation partners, he supports habitat protection, conservation education, and efforts to better understand and safeguard the critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow. His work emphasizes building sustainable, locally driven conservation efforts and empowering others to become active participants in protecting wildlife. Through Curassow Conservation, Kyle is working to grow a network of partners and supporters dedicated to ensuring a future for curassows and the forests they call home.