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Barbara Kus

Dr. Barbara Kus is a Research Ecologist with the Western Ecological Research Center. 

Dr. Kus designs and conducts original field research on avian ecology and conservation to support science-based natural resource management in national and international contexts.  Dr. Kus interacts closely with federal, state, and local resource managers and regulatory agencies to prioritize research needs, and design and conduct investigations to meet those needs.  As a scientist broadly trained in ecology and evolutionary biology, she focuses her research on integrating management, which is typically short-term and threats-driven, with an evolutionary perspective that seeks longer-term sustainability of species and ecosystems through maintenance of evolutionary processes required for persistence.  A theme of her research is that it is strategically long-term, yielding unique datasets that incorporate spatial and temporal patterns of response to environmental variability needed for this evolutionary perspective. 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Riparian Birds
  • Response of Riparian Bird Communities to Habitat Restoration
  • Ecology and Population Trends of Neotropical Migratory Birds
  • Population Genetic Structure of Endangered Birds
  • Post-wildfire Recovery of Riparian and Coastal Sage Scrub Bird Communities and Habitats

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 1985

  • M.S., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 1980

  • B.S., Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 1977

  • B.A., Zoology, University of California, Davis, CA 1977

Science and Products

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A close-up photo of a Least Bell's Vireo perched on a tree branch.

Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty

Along the Santa Clara River in California, populations of the federally and state-listed Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) are recovering from near extirpation. Habitat protection and restoration, as well as reducing brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), are thought to be the primary drivers of this recovery. The challenge going forward is to find the right balance...
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty

Along the Santa Clara River in California, populations of the federally and state-listed Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) are recovering from near extirpation. Habitat protection and restoration, as well as reducing brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater), are thought to be the primary drivers of this recovery. The challenge going forward is to find the right balance...
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WERC Fire

WERC Fire Science

WERC scientists are defining the past, present, and future of wildfires for wildlife and human communities. Explore this webpage to learn about specific, ongoing projects across California and parts of Nevada.
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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WERC Fire Science

WERC scientists are defining the past, present, and future of wildfires for wildlife and human communities. Explore this webpage to learn about specific, ongoing projects across California and parts of Nevada.
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three neotropical birds (Left to right: Magnolia warbler, Wilson's warbler, Canada warbler - all males) that were cought in mist

Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)

Dr. Barbara Kus is a partner in an international bird-monitoring program to provide long-term data throughout North America. MAPS or “Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship”, uses capture and banding data to compile basic demographic parameters of migratory species, many of which are imperiled regionally and even globally. Age- and sex-specific data on annual survival, reproduction, and...
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Ecosystems, Status and Trends Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)

Dr. Barbara Kus is a partner in an international bird-monitoring program to provide long-term data throughout North America. MAPS or “Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship”, uses capture and banding data to compile basic demographic parameters of migratory species, many of which are imperiled regionally and even globally. Age- and sex-specific data on annual survival, reproduction, and...
Learn More
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Least Bell's Vireo WERC

Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat

Riparian woodlands are highly productive ecosystems that support a disproportionately high fraction of regional biodiversity. They are also one of the most endangered terrestrial systems in temperate North America, and have been reduced to just 5% of their former extent in California and throughout the American southwest. These losses have been accompanied by steep declines in numerous plant and...
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Ecosystems, Wildlife Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat

Riparian woodlands are highly productive ecosystems that support a disproportionately high fraction of regional biodiversity. They are also one of the most endangered terrestrial systems in temperate North America, and have been reduced to just 5% of their former extent in California and throughout the American southwest. These losses have been accompanied by steep declines in numerous plant and...
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CACW

Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California

Dr. Barbara Kus studies the demography and genetic structure of remaining populations of the coastal Cactus Wren to help managers develop strategies to increase the stability of wren populations.
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California

Dr. Barbara Kus studies the demography and genetic structure of remaining populations of the coastal Cactus Wren to help managers develop strategies to increase the stability of wren populations.
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CAGN

Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California

The coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), a federally threatened species, is considered a flagship species for southern California conservation planning. Dr. Barbara Kus collaborates with Dr. Amy Vandergast and local agencies to provide information to managers that can be used to conserve this species and its habitat.
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Ecosystems, Wildlife Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California

The coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), a federally threatened species, is considered a flagship species for southern California conservation planning. Dr. Barbara Kus collaborates with Dr. Amy Vandergast and local agencies to provide information to managers that can be used to conserve this species and its habitat.
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Coastal California Gnatcatcher Habitat Suitability Model for Southern California (2015)

This habitat model was developed to delineate a sampling frame for regional monitoring of coastal California gnatcatchers (Polioptila californica californica) to determine: 1) percent area occupied (PAO) in high and very high suitability habitat across conserved lands and participating military lands in the U.S. range in southern California; 2) changes in PAO over time; and 3) extinction and colon
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Least Bell's Vireo Habitat Suitability Model for California (2019)

This habitat model was developed to identify suitable habitat for the federally-endangered least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) across its current and historic range in California. The vireo disappeared from most of its range by the 1980s, remaining only in small populations in southern California. Habitat protection and management since the mid-1980s has led to an increase in southern Calif
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and Population Genetic Structure of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California

Data presented are 1.) the locations where Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) genetic samples were collected in southern California, in 2011, 2012, and 2013; 2.) 2012 and 2013 survey results; 3.) the territory locations of all Cactus Wrens detected in 2011, 2012, and 2013 in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties; and 4.) dispersal results on a subset of Cactus Wrens color ba
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatcher Populations in Southern California from 2012 through 2013

These data were collected to determine how genetic variation is arrayed across remaining populations of gnatcatchers, allowing inference about individual movement and gene flow patterns among those populations. The work focused on determining the extent to which gnatcatcher aggregations function as an interconnected metapopulation, with aggregations exchanging migrants across a fragmented landscap
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 46

Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireos (<i>Vireo bellii pusillus</i>) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (<i>Empidonax traillii extimus</i>) at the San Antonio Dam, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California—2021 Data summary

Executive SummaryWe surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) at the San Antonio Dam near Upland, California, in 2021. Four vireo surveys were conducted between April 16 and July 15, 2021, and three flycatcher surveys were conducted between May 27 and July 15, 2021.We detected one transient vireo and
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireos (<i>Vireo bellii pusillus</i>) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (<i>Empidonax traillii extimus</i>) on the Middle San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, southern California—2021 Data summary

Executive SummaryWe surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along the San Luis Rey River, between College Boulevard in Oceanside and Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, California (middle San Luis Rey River), in 2021. Surveys were conducted from April 13 to July 14 (vireo) and from May 18 to July 13 (flyca
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and abundance of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the upper San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, California—2020 data summary

We surveyed for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along the upper San Luis Rey River, near Lake Henshaw, in Santa Ysabel, California, in 2020. Surveys were completed at four locations: three downstream from Lake Henshaw, where nest monitoring occurred from 2015 to 2019 (Rey River Ranch [RRR], Cleveland National Forest [CNF], Vista Irrigation District [VID]),
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Least Bell's Vireos and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers at the San Luis Rey flood risk management project area in San Diego County, California—Breeding activities and habitat use—2020 annual report

Executive SummarySurveys and monitoring for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) were done at the San Luis Rey Flood Risk Management Project Area (Project Area) in the city of Oceanside, San Diego County, California, between March 31 and July 20, 2020. We completed four protocol surveys during the breeding season, supplemented by weekly territory monitoring visits. We i
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and demography of coastal cactus wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in southern San Diego County, California—2020 data summary

Executive SummarySurveys for coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) were done in 378 established plots in southern San Diego County in 2020, encompassing three genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, and Sweetwater/Encanto genetic clusters). Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31. Cactus Wrens were detected in 131 plots (35 percent of plots). This is a sl
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and abundance of Least Bell's Vireos and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers on the middle San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, southern California—2020 data summary

We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along the San Luis Rey River, between College Boulevard in Oceanside and Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, California (middle San Luis Rey River), in 2020. Surveys were conducted from April 13 to July 13 (vireo) and from May 14 to July 13 (flycatcher). We found
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Modeling Least Bell’s Vireo habitat suitability in current and historic ranges in California

We developed a habitat suitability model for the federally endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) across its current and historic range in California. The vireo disappeared from most of its range by the 1980s, remaining only in southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. This decline was due to habitat loss and introduction of brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Mol
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Management of the brown-headed cowbird: Implications for endangered species and agricultural damage mitigation

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater; cowbird) is unique among North American blackbirds (Icteridae) because it is managed to mitigate the negative effects on endangered songbirds and economic losses in agricultural crops. Cowbird brood parasitism can further affect species that are considered threatened or endangered due to anthropogenic land uses. Historically, cowbirds have often been culle
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the Middle San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, southern California—2019 data summary

We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) along the San Luis Rey River, between College Boulevard in Oceanside and Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, California (middle San Luis Rey River), in 2019, and we surveyed and conducted nest monitoring for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) in a survey area where breeding had historically been docume
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Recovery planning in a dynamic system: Integrating uncertainty into a decision support tool for an endangered songbird

Along the Santa Clara River in California, populations of the federally and state-listed Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) are recovering from near extirpation. Habitat protection and restoration, as well as controlling rates of brood parasitism, are thought to be the primary drivers of this recovery. Continuing successful management of this population faces multiple challenges due to the
By
Ecosystems, Alaska Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the Middle San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, Southern California—2018 data summary

We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along the San Luis Rey River, between College Boulevard in Oceanside and Interstate 15 in Fallbrook, California (middle San Luis Rey River), in 2018. Surveys were conducted from April 17 to July 16 (vireo) and from May 16 to July 27 (flycatcher). We found
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) surveys in the Sepulveda Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2018 data summary

Executive SummaryWe surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along Bull Creek, Haskell Creek, and the Los Angeles River (Sepulveda Dam project area) in Los Angeles County, California, in 2018. Four vireo surveys were conducted between April 27 and
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Ecosystems, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Research Spotlight: New Habitat Maps Inform Endangered Least Bell’s Vireo Recovery in California

A new report from USGS ecologists analyzes the suitability of California habitat for the federally endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii...

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Rare Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Banded by USGS Spotted on Nicaragua Wintering Grounds

An endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher banded by USGS ecologists in San Diego in July 2017 was recently spotted 3000+ miles away on its...

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Genetics Study Reveals Good News for the Southern California Population of the California Gnatcatcher

Results of a recent study by WERC scientists are providing helpful information to resource managers as they work to protect important habitat.

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WERC Scientists Receive Prestigious Awards for Research on Songbirds, Mountain Ecosystems

This month, we recognize two WERC scientists for their decades of research on endangered songbirds, and the geology and hydrology of mountain...

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Declining Male Offspring Further Imperil Endangered Flycatchers in Southern California

A new study in The Condor: Ornithological Applications documents the steep decline of a population of endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatchers over...

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