Current Raptor Biology Student Projects

My research focuses on the federally endangered Northern Aplomado Falcon, which was reintroduced to coastal Texas after disappearing from the U.S. in the 1950’s. I am examining the potential impact that Great Horned Owls and habitat encroachment may be having on falcon nesting success.

My research focuses on a local burrowing owl population in portions of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area within southwestern Idaho in which I am exploring how kinship is structured in the population, developing a better understanding of population dynamics, and determining what factors influence lifetime reproductive success.

We aim to characterize diet using metabarcoding approaches in two shrub-steppe birds—the Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse and Prairie Falcon—to better understand dietary breadth, local adaptation, and data-driven conservation strategies.

My research focuses on the factors that influence the length of the post-fledging dependence period (PFDP) for resident Golden Eagles in Southwest Idaho. We have observed that the length of PFDP in our study population is highly variable. There is limited information on the PFDP portion of the Golden Eagles breeding season in non-migratory populations. I will investigate whether several factors including nestling health, parental behavior, as well as multiple environmental components affect the PFDP.

My research focuses on how multiple stressors may interact to reduce population size and elevate extinction risk in the local population of golden eagles in the NCA. We are seeing an accelerated decline in territory occupancy of the local population. I am specifically looking into the affects of land cover change and juvenile survival to determine potential drivers for this decline.

I am investigating diversity, annual trends, and effects of blood parasites in American Kestrels. My research will focus on identifying the physiological costs of chronic infection and assessing whether these costs vary among groups of kestrels with differing migratory strategies.