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Arnold, Erin

Erin Arnold with two Golden Eagle nestlings.
Erin Arnold with two Golden Eagle nestlings.

In 2016, Erin Arnold received her M.S. in Raptor Biology from Boise State University, studying barn owls (Tyto alba) along Interstates 84 and 86 in Idaho.

Thesis Abstract

Full-Text Thesis

Following graduation, Erin worked with Raptor Biology grad student Benjamin Dudek on his Golden Eagle research. She rappelled into Golden Eagle nests (see photo on the right) and aided in data collection.

After Dudek’s field season was over, Erin went to Spain! She was sent there by the Intermountain Bird Observatory and worked for Fundación Migres in Tarifa, Spain. She aided in counting the fall bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar.  (See photo below.)

Today, Erin is the California Condor Nest Biologist for the Santa Barbara Zoo in California. The Santa Barbara Zoo works in conjunction with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (along with several other partners) for the California Condor Recovery Program. Erin monitors the nests, mating pairs, and nestlings of the Southern California flock.

Erin Arnold at one of the count sites (called Algarrobo) in Spain -- sitting on top of the observatory.
Erin Arnold at one of the count sites (called Algarrobo) in Spain — sitting on top of the observatory.
Here is one of Erin’s favorite pairs – Condors #216 and #328. They were curious about what the crew was doing on one of their scheduled nest entries.
Here is one of Erin’s favorite pairs – Condors #216 and #328. They were curious about what the crew was doing on one of their scheduled nest entries. (Photo by Erin Arnold)