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Raptor Biology Alumni Research

Each Master of Science in Raptor Biology graduate’s listing in the Alumni by Name with Theses Titles section includes their graduation year and a link to their thesis in Boise State University’s ScholarWorks once available. Some graduates also have links to other scholarly works, professional websites, or media featuring them.

Raptor biologists monitoring Prairie Falcon territory by the Snake River
Raptor biologists monitoring Prairie Falcon territory by the Snake River (photo credit: Steve Alsup)

Search MS Raptor Biology graduates below by raptor species, habitat type, environmental influences, fields of study (e.g., genetics, phenology, ecology), and more. Names are listed alphabetically by known current last names. Birth names are indicated in parentheses and nicknames are in quotations.

Alumni by Name with Theses Titles

A-D

Alsup, Steve E., 2012

Productivity and Habitat Features of Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) Nesting in Suburban and Agricultural Areas of Southwest Idaho

Anderson, Alexandra, 2014

Population Response to Climate Change: Wintering Strategy has Carryover Effects on the Timing of Nest Initiation and Mate Choice in a Partial Migrant, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Anderson, David L., 1998

Avian Diversity in the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras: The Influence of Indigenous Agricultural Practices

Arnold, Erin (Pikcilingis), 2016

Spatial, Roadway, and Biotic Factors Associated with Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Mortality and Characteristics of Mortality Hotspots Along Interstates 84 and 86 in Idaho

Visit ResearchGate for more Arnold Information and Publications

Atkinson, Eric C., 1991

Winter Ecology of Northern Shrikes (Lanius excubitor) in Idaho: Foraging, Territories, and Niche Overlap with American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Barnes, Keith P., 2007

Ecology, Habitat Use, and Probability of Detection of Flammulated Owls in the Boise National Forest

Batbayar, Nyambayar, 2004

Nesting Ecology and Breeding Success of Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) in Central Mongolia

Beck-Haas, Alison L., 1990

Raptor Rehabilitation: Banding Data and Idaho Manual

Berg, Melanie D. (Narish), 2009

Yolk Androgens and Development in American Kestrel Nestlings

Berkelman, James D., 1993

Ecology of the Madagascar Buzzard, Buteo brachypterus, in the Rain Forest of the Masoala Peninsula

Bishop, Rebecca, 2023

A Novel Approach to the Nest Site Characterization of Two Species of Critically Endangered Vulture in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Bontrager, David, 2024

Distribution of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) Near Breeding Grounds of the Reintroduced Northern Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Coastal South Texas

Booms, Travis L., 2002

Gyrfalcon Food Habits in Central West Greenland During the Nestling Period

Visit Booms’s Professional Website

Boves, Than J., 2007

The Effects of Roadway Mortality on Barn Owls in Southern Idaho and a Study of Ornamentation in North American Barn Owls

Brady, Ryan S., 2004

Nest Lining Behavior, Nest Microclimate, and Nest Defense Behavior of Burrowing Owls

Brinkmeyer, Michaela S., 2018

Patterns of Genetic Structure in the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): Influence of Distance and Migration and Implications for Monitoring and Management

Busby, Brian, 2022

The Effects of Roads on Movement, Flight Dynamics, Occupancy, and Productivity in Barn Owls (Tyto alba)

Butler, Michael W., 2006

Neonatal Stress and Avian Development: Effects on Growth, Immune Function, and Plumage

Callery, Kathleen “Katie,” 2020

Phenological Mismatch is Correlated with Fitness Outcomes and Adaptive Behavior in a Generalist Avian Predator Distributed Across North America

Carpenter, George P., 1995

Studies of Breeding American Kestrels in Southwestern Idaho: I. Offspring Sex Ratios of American Kestrels in Southwestern Idaho; II. Effects of Disturbance and Food Availability on American Kestrel Reproduction in Southwestern Idaho; III. Use of Mist Nets and a Live Great Horned Owl to Capture Breeding American Kestrels

Carter, Jo Ellen, 1992

Home Range, Habitat Utilization, and Prey Delivery Patterns of the Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus)

Cinto Mejia, Elizeth, 2017

Landscape-Scale Manipulation of the Acoustic Environment Alters the Distribution of Breeding Birds and Arthropods

Dale, Sage, 2026

Using Comparative Genomics to Characterize Immune Genes Between the Holarctic Gyrfalcon and the Globally Distributed Peregrine Falcon

Visit ScholarWorks for information on the full text of this thesis when available after embargo.

Danilson, Christopher D., 1998

Post-Fledging Ecology of Great Horned Owls in South Central Saskatchewan

Davis, Caitlin, 2019

Recreation, Fire and Disease Create a Mosaic of Threats for Golden Eagles in Southwestern Idaho

See Davis’s Photos on Flickr

DeHart, Karl M., 2003

Great Horned Owl Distribution and Habitat Use Relative to Post-Release Survival of Endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chickens

Dickson, Ariana, 2020

Prevalence of Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Ferruginous Hawk Nestlings and Evaluation of a Novel Method to Rapidly Assess Exposure

Donohue, Kara C., 2009

Exploring Red-tailed Hawk Migration Using Stable Isotope Analysis and DNA Sexing Techniques

Draheim, Greg S., 1995

Breeding Biology and Habitat Requirements of the White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis) in Guatemala

Dudek, Ben, 2017

Breeding Biology and Habitat Requirements of the White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis) in Guatemala

Visit Dudek’s Professional Website

Dumandan, Patricia K. (Pat), 2020

Patterns and Drivers in Counts of Migratory Raptors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, USA

E-J

Ellsworth, Ethan A., 1997

Postfledging Behavior and Dispersal of Juvenile Western Screech-Owls: Patterns of Movement and the Effects of Gender and Social Dominance

Fairhurst, Graham D., 2004

Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Population Analysis and Food Habits Study in the Independence and Bull Run Mountains, Nevada

Visit Research Gate for More Fairhurst Information and Publications

Finn, Sean P., 2001

Multi-Scale Habitat Influences on Northern Goshawk Occupancy and Reproduction on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

Foss, John, 1994

Occurrence and Habitat Associations of Diurnal Raptors Along the Bio-Bio River, Chile

Fuller, Kirsten, 2022

The Influence of Visitors, Habitat, and Methodology on Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) Occupancy and Detection in a Remote Canyon Environment

Garwood, Robin R. (Spahr), 1990

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Bald Eagles and Effects of Human Activity on Bald Eagles Wintering Along the Boise River

Gerhardt, Richard P., 1991

Mottled Owls (Ciccaba virgata): Response to Calls, Breeding Biology, Home Range, and Food Habits

Gilson, Lauren N., 1996

Behavioral Flexibility in Juvenile Ospreys

Gossett, Daniel N., 1993

Studies of Ferruginous Hawk Biology: I. Recoveries of Banded Ferruginous Hawks from Presumed Eastern and Western Subpopulations, II. Morphological and Genetic Differences of Presumed Subpopulations of Ferruginous Hawks, III. Sex Determination of Nestling Ferruginous Hawks

Graham, Scott, 2012

Diet Composition, Niche and Geographic Characteristics, and Prey Size Preference of Barred Owls (Strix varia) in the Pacific Northwest

Groves, Jamie L. (Wade), 2014

Behavioral Responses of Burrowing Owls to Experimental Clutch Manipulations: An Investigation of Conspecific Brood Parasitism and Laying Determinacy

Gustafson, Michaela, 2023

Mapping Distribution and Densities of Ptarmigan and Arctic Ground Squirrels within Gyrfalcon Breeding Territories in Western Alaska

Haines, Karen F., 1995

Northern Goshawk Breeding Habitat in Conifer Stands with Natural Tree Mortality in Eastern Oregon

Hallingstad, Eric C., 2008

Seasonal Variation in Immunocompetence and Other Physiological Parameters of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Hanauska-Brown, Lauri A., 2000

Evaluation of Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Productivity, Nestling Growth, and Adult Health in Relation to a Central Idaho Habitat Potential Model

Hasselblad, Kristin W., 2004

Northern Goshawk Home Ranges and Habitat Selection in the Great Basin of Southern Idaho

Hayes, Christine, 2019

Old Enemies with New Problems?: Investigating the Ecological Relationship Between Ridgway’s Hawk and the Parasitic Nest Fly Philornis pici

Heath, Julie A., 1996

Effects of Body Condition on the Adrenal Stress Response, and the Role of Corticosterone in American Kestrel Nest Departure and Post-Fledging Dispersal

See More Publications, Datasets, and Student-mentored Work in Heath’s Expert Portal

Visit the Heath Lab (Global Change Ecology of Birds) Website

Henderson, Michael, 2019

Effects of Protective Nesting Site Properties on Gyrfalcon Breeding Success and Parental Investment in Western Alaska

Visit Henderson’s Researcher Profile

Herting, Brian L., 2001

Seasonal Effects of Testosterone on Aggression and Vocalizations in Western Screech-owls

Honkomp, Nora, 2024

Biological and Environmental Factors Associated with the Autumn Migration Timing of North American Raptors

K-O

Kaltenecker, Gregory S., 1995

Winter Ecology of Bald Eagles in the Upper Boise River Drainage, Idaho

Visit the Intermountain Bird Observatory (Kaltenecker is Director)

Keeley, William H., 2009

Diet and Behavior of Ferruginous Hawks Nesting in Two Grasslands in New Mexico with Differing Anthropogenic Alteration

Kim, Hanna M. (McCaslin), 2019

Dispersal and Distributions in the Era of Global Change: Patterns and Mechanisms of Individual Dispersal and Distributional Shifts in North American Birds

Kimball, Scott A., 2009

Behavioral Interactions of Breeding Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus luecocephalus) at Lake Cascade, Idaho

Visit Kimball’s Professional Website

King, R. Andrew (Andy), 1996

Post-Fledging Dispersal and Behavioral Ecology of Burrowing Owls in Southwestern Idaho

Kolar, Patrick Shea, 2013

Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Breeding Buteo Hawks in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion

Leal (Tadehara), Yozora, 2018

Home Range Characteristics of Breeding Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) at Artificial Nest Sites in Central Mongolia

Leary, Alan W. (Al), 1996

Home Ranges, Core Use Areas, and Dietary Habits of Ferruginous Hawks in Southcentral Washington

Leary, Kathryn “Kate” D. (Whitmore), 1996

Developing Hand-Rearing Techniques for the Conservation of Altricial Passerines

Lehman, Robert N., 1996

Effects of Military Training and Wildfires on Shrubsteppe Raptors in Southwestern Idaho

Leppert, Lynda L., 2002

Heterophil to Lymphocyte Ratios and DNA Sexing in Fall Migrating Northern Saw-Whet Owls and Flammulated Owls in Idaho

Levine, Edward W., 1995

Productivity of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area, 1988-1990

Lewis, Stephen B., 2001

Breeding Season Diet of Northern Goshawks in Southeast Alaska with a Comparison of Techniques Used to Examine Raptor Diet

Mason, J. Tate, 2015

The Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadius) Hunting Behavior

McAnnis-Gerhardt, Dawn M., 1991

Home Range, Activity Budgets, and Habitat Use of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) Breeding in Southwest Idaho

McVey, Kathlyn J., 2011

Trophic Ecology of Burrowing Owls in Natural and Agricultural Habitats and an Analysis of Predator Communities using Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen

Miller, Robert, 2013

Breeding Ecology of The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) within a Unique Prey and Forest Landscape of the Western United States

Visit Research Gate for More Miller Information and Publications

Morris, Anna (Autilio), 2016

Gang Behavior at Carcasses in Wintering Striated Caracaras (Phalcoboenus australis) in the Falkland Islands

Moulton, Colleen E., 2003

Ecology of Burrowing Owls in Southwestern Idaho: Association with Agriculture, Food Habits and Territorial Behavior

Myers, Kevin, 2026

Developmental and Ecological Factors Associated with the Post-Fledging Dependence Period in a Long-Lived Raptor

Visit ScholarWorks for information on the full text of this thesis when available after embargo.

Nadeau, Andrew Joseph, 2012

A Genetic Analysis of Bald Eagles in the Pacific Northwest: Retained Genetic Diversity Following a Large-Scale Population Bottleneck

Nolte, Eric, 2012

Raptors Present but Unobserved: Detectability at a Western Migration Watch-Site and Its Effect on Trend Analysis

O’Keeffe, John L., 2013

Species Size Predicts Oxidative Stress in Five Migratory North American Raptors

Oleyar, M. David, 2000

Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) Breeding Ecology in Aspen Forests of Northern Utah: Including Responses to Ski Area Development

P-S

Panasci, Theresa, 1995

Comparative Breeding Ecology and Success of Roadside Hawks in Human-Modified and Forest Habitats of Péten, Guatemala

Paprocki, Neil, 2013

Warming Winters and Changing Habitats: Interactive Effects on Raptor Populations and Implications for Conservation

See Paprocki’s Many Bird Photos on Flickr

Parker, Margaret N. (Megan), 1997

Ecology of Nesting Laughing Falcons and Bat Falcons in Tikal National Park, Guatemala: Foraging and Niche Breadth

Perkins, Dusty N., 2006

Population Genetics and Food Habits of Raptors in Southern Idaho

Visit ScholarWorks for Other Publications Authored or Co-authored by Perkins

Phelps III, James M. (Tad), 1993

Factors Affecting Foraging and Productivity of Ospreys (Pandion halieatus) at Cascade Reservoir, Idaho

Pope, Aimee L., 1999

Juvenile Ferruginous Hawk Movements and Flight Skill Development During the Post-Fledging Dependency Period in South-Central Washington

Porterfield, Christopher, 2016

Pheomelanin Pigment Is Not an Indicator of Feather Corticosterone Content in Diurnal Migratory Raptors in Idaho

Rains, Charlotte R., 1998

Niche Overlap, and Nearest-Neighbor Distances of Northern Saw-Whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) and Western Screech-Owls (Otus kennicottii) in Southwestern Idaho

Ravecca, Eden, 2023

Impacts of Habitat Type on Individual Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) Movement and Foraging Behavior During the Breeding Season

Regan, Tempe, 2016

Barn Owls (Tyto alba) Crossing the Road – Examining the Interplay Among Occupancy, Behavior, Habitat Selection, and Roadway Mortality in Southern Idaho

Riding, Corey S., 2010

Effects of Old Nest Material on Occupancy and Reuse of Artificial Burrows, and Breeding Dispersal by Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in Southwestern Idaho

Robinson, Bryce, 2016

Gyrfalcon Diet During the Brood Rearing Period on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, in the Context of a Changing World

See Robinson’s CV on Ornithologi

Rogers, Heather M., 2003

Modulation of the Adrenocortical Stress Response in North American Accipiters During Fall Migration and the Effect of Flight Strategies and Energy Expenditure on Their Baseline Corticosterone Secretion

Sanchez, Gonzalo “Gon” H., 1993

The Ecology of Wintering Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) in Central South Dakota

Santiago, Ashley, 2024

Associations Between Landscape Changes And Declines In Golden Eagle Territory Occupancy In The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds Of Prey National Conservation Area

Scholer, Micah N., 2011

Land Cover and Topographic Effects on Cavity-Nesting Owl Occurrence and the Role of Species Interactions in Structuring Cavity-Nesting Owl Communities

Scott, Sarah, 2026

Genus-specific Causes and Consequences of Haemosporidian Infection Intensity in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Visit ScholarWorks for information on the full text of this thesis when available after embargo.

Scott, Teague, 2020

Movements of White-Headed and White-Backed Vultures

Sherburne, Jessica “Jessie,” 2013

Bioavailability of Anthropogenic Organic Contaminants (AOCs) in the Eggs of Two Species of Wild Birds Exposed to Municipal Biosolids

Shook, John E., 2002

Breeding Biology, Nesting Habitat, Dietary Analysis and Breeding Behaviors of Northern Hawk Owls (Surnia ulula) in Interior Alaska

Smith, Adam D., 2006

Breeding Biology, Nesting Habitat, Dietary Analysis and Breeding Behaviors of Northern Hawk Owls (Surnia ulula) in Interior Alaska

Smith, Brian W., 1999

Nest-Site Selection, Ectoparasites, and Mitigation Techniques: Studies of Burrowing Owls and Artificial Burrow Systems in Southwestern Idaho

Smith, Jennifer M., 1989

A Computer-Assisted System of Toe-Scale Pattern Analysis for Identification of Peregrine Falcons

Smith, Rhonda F., 2009

Investigating Raptor Migration Behavior Using Orientation Cages and Wing Measurements: A Comparison of the Flammulated Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl in Southwestern Idaho

Smith, Shawn H., 2016

Earlier Nesting by a Predatory Bird Is Associated with Human Adaptations to Climate Change

Spaul, Rob, 2015

Recreation Disturbance to a Shrub-Steppe Raptor: Biological Consequences, Behavioral Mechanisms, and Management Implications

Boise State University Video About Rob Spaul’s Research

Staley, Airica M., 2003

Noninvasive Fecal Steroid Measures for Assessing Gonadal and Adrenal Function in the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Strasser, Erin H., 2010

Reproductive Failure and the Stress Response in American Kestrels Nesting Along a Human Disturbance Gradient

Stuber, Matt, 2015

Ecotoxicological Risk and Exposure: A Comparison of Western Burrowing Owls Nesting in Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Areas in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

Sutter, Jason A., 2000

Breeding Ecology of the Crane Hawk in Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Swem, Theodor “Ted” R., 1996

Aspects of the Breeding Biology of Rough-Legged Hawks Along the Colville River, Alaska

T-Z

Taylor, Jessica, 2024

Nesting In Urban Areas Affects American Kestrel Home Range Size And Adult Female Health

Taylor, Nicole “Niki” A., 2005

Burrowing Owl Offspring Sex Ratios: Long-Term Trends and a Test of the Triver and Willard Hypothesis

Telford, Elizabeth A., 1996

Peregrine Falcons in the Northeastern United States: Sonagraphic Analysis of the Defense Call, Population Turnover, and Dispersal

Thomason, Eve, 2023

Assessing Illegal Shooting of Birds along Power Lines

Thorstrom, Russell K., 1993

Breeding Ecology of Two Species of Forest-Falcons (Micrastur) in Northeastern Guatemala

Tripp, Bradley B., 1991

Respiratory Gas Concentrations and Thermal Gradients in Nestboxes Occupied by American Kestrels, Falco sparverius

Ulmschneider, Helen, 1990

Post-Nesting Ecology of the Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus) in Southwestern Idaho

Utz, Jamie, 2012

Understanding the Tradeoff Between Safety and Food Quality in a Mammalian Herbivore Specialist, the Pygmy Rabbit

Valutis, Laura L., 1997

Reintroduction of Captive-Reared Birds the Influence of Hand-Rearing and Release Techniques on Behavior and Survival in Three Species of Corvidae

Vargas, Hernán, 1995

Food Habits, Breeding Biology, and Status of the Gray-Backed Hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis) in Western Ecuador

Welty, Justin L., 2010

Costs and Benefits of Variable Nest Density in Burrowing Owls: Effects on Predation, Ectoparasites, Egg Yolk Hormones, and Productivity

Whitlock, Peter L., 1997

Spatial Visual Acuity in American Kestrels: The Influences of Bird-Stimulus Distance and Stimulus Rotation

Whitman, Buddy A., 2006

The Effects of Neonatal Handling on Adrenocortical Responsiveness, Morphological Development, and Corticosterone Binding Globulin in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Wightman, Catherine S., 2001

Patterns Associated with Habitat Selection by Peregrine Falcons in Central West Greenland

Wilson, Jessica “Jessy”

Nest Temperatures Reveal Reproductive Consequences for a Forest-nesting Raptor

Visit ScholarWorks for information on the full text of this thesis when available after embargo.

Wonder, Erin, 2013

A Test of Whether Human Handling Causes Developmental or Habituation Effects on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Stress Response of Young American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Woods, Christopher P., 1994

The Loggerhead Shrike in Southwest Idaho

Younk, James V., 1996

Breeding Ecology of the Northern Goshawk in Relation to Surface Gold Mining in Naturally Fragmented Aspen Forests of Northern Nevada

Zucchini, Martina, 2026

Flight Behavior of Migratory Raptors in Relation to Morphology, Weather, and Age

Visit ScholarWorks for information on the full text of this thesis when available after embargo.

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