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Colleen Handel, Ph.D.

Population ecology of passerines and shorebirds, behavioral ecology, population monitoring, and sampling design.

Professional Experience

  • 1996 - Present   Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 1993 - 1996        Research Wildlife Biologist, NBS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 1978 - 1993        Research Wildlife Biologist, USFWS, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 1977 - 1978        Research/ Teaching Assistant, University of California Davis, Davis, California

  • 1975 - 1978        Biological Science Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 1975 - 1975        Biological Science Aide, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kenai, Alaska

  • 1974 - 1974        Botany and Ornithology Instructor, Murray Rhode School, Newton Public High Schools, Newton, Massachusetts

  • 1972 - 1972        Assistant Curator, Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • 1972 - 1972        Research Assistant, Concord Field Station, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D.  2002  University of California Davis, Davis, CA  Ecology

  • M.S.    1982  University of California Davis, Davis, CA  Ecology

  • B.A.    1974   Harvard University, Cambridge, MA  Biological Sciences

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science

  • American Ornithological Society (Fellow, Deputy Editor)

  • Association of Field Ornithologists

  • Colonial Waterbird Group

  • Ecological Society of America

  • Pacific Seabird Group

  • Society for Conservation Biology

  • Wader Study Group

  • Wildlife Society

  • Wilson Ornithological Society

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 21
link
Small bird in a hand

About Boreal Partners in Flight

Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
By
Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

About Boreal Partners in Flight

Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
Learn More
link
Small bird in a hand

Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects

Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects

Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
Learn More
link
Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey emblem

Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

Alaska provides breeding habitat for >140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in Flight...
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

Alaska provides breeding habitat for >140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in Flight...
Learn More
link
A bird nest camouflaged in the grass

Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska

Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska

Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
Learn More
link
Map of Alaska with bird conservation regions

Bird Conservation Areas

Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Bird Conservation Areas

Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
Learn More
link
Small yellow bird on a bush

Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska

Here are a few festivals celebrating birds around the state of Alaska.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska

Here are a few festivals celebrating birds around the state of Alaska.
Learn More
link
Small bird in a bush

Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight

Information on topics discussed by Boreal Partners in Flight (BPIF) working groups organized by year.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight

Information on topics discussed by Boreal Partners in Flight (BPIF) working groups organized by year.
Learn More
link
an eagle

Alaska Raptor Group

Thirty-one raptor species, including 18 species of diurnal raptors (Orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) and 13 species of owls (Order Strigiformes), have been documented in Alaska, 23 of which are known to breed within the state.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Alaska Raptor Group

Thirty-one raptor species, including 18 species of diurnal raptors (Orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) and 13 species of owls (Order Strigiformes), have been documented in Alaska, 23 of which are known to breed within the state.
Learn More
link
Scientist holding a Common Redpoll songbird

Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight

There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds.  Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.

link

Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight

There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds.  Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.

Learn More
link
A Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is

Background of Beak Deformity Research

Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Background of Beak Deformity Research

Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
Learn More
link
A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down

Species Affected by Beak Deformities

At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
link

Species Affected by Beak Deformities

At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
Learn More
link
Small bird with a crossed beak on a branch

Physical Description of Beak Deformities

The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
By
Alaska Science Center
link

Physical Description of Beak Deformities

The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
Learn More

Avian Point Transect Survey Data, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012

This data package contains three tables: 1) avian point-transect survey data collected on the Seward Peninsula in 2012, 2) locations of all survey sites, and 3) an avian taxonomy table for reference.
By
Alaska Science Center

Avian Habitat Data; Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012

This data package contains two tables with habitat measurements from each sampling point used in avian point-transect surveys on the Seward Peninsula in 2012 and the locations of those sites. Measurements include percent cover and canopy height of alder (Alnus spp.), dwarf birch (Betula spp.), ericaceous shrubs (e.g., Empetrum, Vaccinium spp.), herbaceous, lichen (e.g., Cladonia spp.), and willow
By
Alaska Science Center

Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada

This dataset consists of shorebird chick measurements (wing, primary feather 10, diagonal tarsus, and bill length) and body mass for various shorebird species captured in Alaska and Canada during 1978-2022. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, and collaborators from many government agencies and research institutions have studied shorebirds at numerous sites across N
By
Alaska Science Center

Arthropod Abundance and Shrub Cover and Height on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2015-2016

This data set contains information (in three tables) with numbers and biomass of invertebrates (primarily arthropods) collected in pitfall-trap arrays and sweep-net samples on a series of plots (n = 13 total) at one coastal and one interior study site on the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska during the summers of 2015 and 2016. Associated data on the horizontal cover and height of shrub vege
By
Alaska Science Center

Data Associated with Poecivirus Testing of Individual Birds with Beak Deformities

This data set is comprised of two tables, one with results of poecivirus screening of tissues from six North American avian species using PCR followed by Sanger sequencing in addition to unbiased metagenomic sequencing, the second lists the names and sequences of primers used.
By
Alaska Science Center

Nesting Habitat and Nest Survival Data for American (Pluvialis dominica) and Pacific (P. fulva) Golden-Plovers on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012-2013

This data set contains information (in two tables) on nesting habitat and nest survival for American (Pluvialis dominica) and Pacific (P. fulva) Golden-Plovers monitored at seven study sites across an elevational gradient (28-416 m) on the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska during the summers of 2012 and 2013. We used principal components analysis to reduce habitat measurements into two compo
By
Alaska Science Center

Measurements Used to Determine the Sex of Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numenius tahitiensis)

This data set contains bill and tarsal measurements from 114 Bristle-thighed Curlews, captured on breeding grounds in Alaska, and non-breeding areas in Hawaii and Reitoru atoll, French Polynesia.
By
Alaska Science Center

Genetic data associated with avian keratin disorder and Poecivirus in black-capped chickadees, Alaska, 2016-2017

This dataset contains results of genetic screening for Poecivirus from samples of black-capped chickadees (BCCH; Poecile atricapillus) with and without clinical signs of avian keratin disorder (AKD). Data include information on detection/non-detection of the virus in tissue collected with buccal swabs, cloacal swabs, blood samples, and fecal samples from up to 124 individuals between 2015 and 2017
By
Alaska Science Center

Data for Montane-breeding Bird Distribution and Abundance across National Parks of Southwestern Alaska, 2004-2008

Observation data and model covariate data from breeding bird inventory conducted during May-June 2004 and 2008 primarily in montane areas (>100 m above sea level) in Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve (Aniakchak NMP), Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai NPP), and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Lake Clark NPP) in southwestern Alaska. Observers conducted 1,021 point counts
By
Alaska Science Center

Audio Data for Assessing Avian Detectability, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2013-2014

This data set contains information from recording devices that we placed at 11 site-years, set to record regularly during summer breeding seasons. A single observer listened to 2692 recordings, noting which species were heard during each 10-min recording. We used this information to examine how avian detectability varied by day of season, time of day, and ambient temperature. All study locations w
By
Alaska Science Center

Avian Point Count, Habitat, and Covariate Data for Subarctic Bird Abundance, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012-2014

This data package contains three tables: avian counts by species, habitat type, a covariate information used for analysis of bird surveys conducted between 2012 and 2014 on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, as part of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative. We conducted 1,208 point counts on 12 study blocks from 2012-2014 in northwestern Alaska, using repeated surveys to account for imperfect
By
Alaska Science Center
Small bird with long beak
link
Small bird with crossed beak
link
Filter Total Items: 90

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an ecologically and economically significant avian disease that is quickly spreading among wild and domestic birds throughout North America. In this blog post, we provide information and resources that can help you to be informed, be prepared, and be ready to take appropriate action should you observe wild birds that may be affected by HPAI.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

The Pacific as the world’s greatest theater of bird migration: Extreme flights spark questions about physiological capabilities, behavior, and the evolution of migratory pathways

The Pacific Basin, by virtue of its vastness and its complex aeroscape, provides unique opportunities to address questions about the behavioral and physiological capabilities and mechanisms through which birds can complete spectacular flights. No longer is the Pacific seen just as a formidable barrier between terrestrial habitats in the north and the south, but rather as a gateway for specialized
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Alaska Landbird Conservation Plan

Alaska is a land of extremes. The diversity of its avifauna reflects the heterogeneity of its landscape, with more than 500 species of birds recorded in the state. Species inhabiting primarily terrestrial habitats, known collectively as landbirds, constitute the largest and most ecologically diverse component of the Alaska avifauna. Habitats used by landbirds range from temperate rainforests in so
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Alaska landbird montoring survey: Alaska regional protocol framework for monitoring landbirds using point counts

Alaska provides habitat for 143 species of landbirds that occur regularly in the state, about half of which breed predominantly north of the border between the contiguous United States and Canada. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern populations are inadequately monitored by this program because of a paucity o
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Willow drives changes in arthropod communities of northwestern Alaska: Ecological implications of shrub expansion

Arthropods serve as complex linkages between plants and higher-level predators in Arctic ecosystems and provide key ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. Arctic plant communities are changing as tall woody shrubs expand onto tundra, but potential effects on arthropod abundance and food web structure remain unclear. Changes in vegetation structure can alter the physical habit
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Poecivirus is present in individuals with beak deformities in seven species of North American birds

Avian keratin disorder (AKD), a disease of unknown etiology characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth, has increasingly affected wild bird populations since the 1990s. A novel picornavirus, poecivirus, is closely correlated with disease status in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) in Alaska. However, our knowledge of the relationship between poecivirus and beak deformities in other
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Does habitat partitioning by sympatric plovers affect nest survival?

The vertical structure and composition of vegetation can influence the quantity and quality of potential nesting sites for birds. Interspecific competition for high-quality nesting habitat may force some individuals into suboptimal habitat and lead to reduced reproductive success, eventually leading to changes in distribution or abundance. Large climate-mediated shifts in vegetation, including the
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Through thick and thin: Sexing Bristle-thighed Curlews Numenius tahitiensis using measures of bill depth

Birds often exhibit diagnostic traits that differ among individuals of the same species with regard to factors like sex, age, or breeding status. Shorebirds exhibit a wide diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes of their bills, and these traits are commonly used to determine the sex of individuals. In curlews (genus Numenius), length alone accurately separates the sexes in some species, but the sha
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Monitoring boreal avian populations: How can we estimate trends and trajectories from noisy data?

Substantial effort has been dedicated to developing reliable monitoring schemes for North American bird populations, but our ability to monitor bird populations in the boreal forest remains limited because of the sparsity of long-term data sets, particularly in northerly regions. Given the importance of the boreal forest for many migratory birds, we set out to (1) summarize the main challenges ass
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Prevalence and diversity of avian blood parasites in a resident northern passerine

Background: Climate-related changes are expected to influence the prevalence and distribution of vector-borne haemosporidian parasites at northern latitudes, although baseline information about resident birds is still lacking. In this study, we investigated prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon parasites infecting the Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus), a
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Evidence of Culiseta mosquitoes as vectors for Plasmodium parasites in Alaska

Mosquito vectors play a crucial role in the distribution of avian Plasmodium parasites worldwide. At northern latitudes, where climate warming is most pronounced, there are questions about possible changes in the abundance and distribution of Plasmodium parasites, their vectors, and their impacts to avian hosts. To better understand the transmission of Plasmodium among local birds and to gather ba
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Population trends of birds wintering in the Central Valley of California

Since the 1970s, the Central Valley of California has seen a large investment in preservation and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas. At the same time, grasslands have been lost to vineyards, orchards, and residential development at an accelerating rate. We analyzed data from 17 Christmas Bird Count circles that were surveyed regularly between winter 1978–79 and winter 2013–14 to document
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
link

New Alaska Landbird Conservation Plan and Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey Protocol

Alaska, where four major migratory flyways converge, hosts a diverse array of globally important avian habitats, ranging from towering rainforests to...

Read Article
link

Story Map on the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

A creative story map showcasing the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) has recently been developed by the Alaska Migratory Bird Management of...

Read Article
link

"Ultra Marathon Champion" Bird May Plan Flights Based on Weather Across Pacific

A recent U.S. Geological Survey-led study of the bar-tailed godwit, a shorebird known famously as the ultimate marathon champion of bird flight...

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Science
    Filter Total Items: 21
    link
    Small bird in a hand

    About Boreal Partners in Flight

    Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
    By
    Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    About Boreal Partners in Flight

    Boreal Partners in Flight is a coalition of individuals who are working together to help conserve bird populations throughout boreal regions of North America. Boreal Partners in Flight is the official Alaska state working group of the international Partners in Flight program. We also have many members from Canada because we share many of the same species, habitats, and problems. The international...
    Learn More
    link
    Small bird in a hand

    Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects

    Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Monitoring and Research Boreal Partners in Flight Projects

    Boreal Partners in Flight has five major regional projects designed to monitor broad-scale trends in populations of landbirds. There are also many projects throughout Alaska that address specific research questions or local monitoring needs.
    Learn More
    link
    Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey emblem

    Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

    Alaska provides breeding habitat for >140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in Flight...
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

    Alaska provides breeding habitat for >140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in Flight...
    Learn More
    link
    A bird nest camouflaged in the grass

    Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska

    Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Conservation of Landbirds in Alaska

    Alaska lies at the convergence of four major global migration flyways and encompasses a diverse array of important landbird habitats. Temperate rainforests tower along the southern coast, boreal forests span the vast interior, and low-lying tundra blankets the continent’s northern and western fringes.
    Learn More
    link
    Map of Alaska with bird conservation regions

    Bird Conservation Areas

    Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Bird Conservation Areas

    Five Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) were designated in Alaska as part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in order provide a framework that would facilitate coordinated conservation and evaluations of major bird initiatives.
    Learn More
    link
    Small yellow bird on a bush

    Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska

    Here are a few festivals celebrating birds around the state of Alaska.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Festivals Celebrating Birds in Alaska

    Here are a few festivals celebrating birds around the state of Alaska.
    Learn More
    link
    Small bird in a bush

    Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight

    Information on topics discussed by Boreal Partners in Flight (BPIF) working groups organized by year.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Meeting and Project Summaries for Boreal Partners in Flight

    Information on topics discussed by Boreal Partners in Flight (BPIF) working groups organized by year.
    Learn More
    link
    an eagle

    Alaska Raptor Group

    Thirty-one raptor species, including 18 species of diurnal raptors (Orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) and 13 species of owls (Order Strigiformes), have been documented in Alaska, 23 of which are known to breed within the state.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Alaska Raptor Group

    Thirty-one raptor species, including 18 species of diurnal raptors (Orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) and 13 species of owls (Order Strigiformes), have been documented in Alaska, 23 of which are known to breed within the state.
    Learn More
    link
    Scientist holding a Common Redpoll songbird

    Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight

    There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds.  Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.

    link

    Resources and Links for Boreal Partners in Flight

    There is enormous value in learning about our natural world. Educational resources help us with this endeavor and help us teach others about landbirds.  Note: This list is for your convenience. We are not advertising or endorsing any product or entity listed.

    Learn More
    link
    A Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is

    Background of Beak Deformity Research

    Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Background of Beak Deformity Research

    Large numbers of Black-capped Chickadees with abnormal beaks were reported in south-central Alaska in the late 1990s. More recently, similar beak deformities have appeared in other species throughout the state. At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of...
    Learn More
    link
    A Black-capped Chickadee with a beak that has grown long and curved down

    Species Affected by Beak Deformities

    At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
    link

    Species Affected by Beak Deformities

    At least 30 Alaskan bird species are affected and the geographic extent of the problem appears to be growing. In addition to Alaskan observations, we have received increasing numbers of reports from other parts of North America and Europe.
    Learn More
    link
    Small bird with a crossed beak on a branch

    Physical Description of Beak Deformities

    The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
    By
    Alaska Science Center
    link

    Physical Description of Beak Deformities

    The most commonly observed physical abnormalities among Alaskan birds are overgrown or crossed beaks. The severity of the deformities varies, ranging from a nearly indiscernible “overbite” to beaks that are more than double their normal length. The upper and lower parts of the beak are also frequently crossed or gapped.
    Learn More
  • Data

    Avian Point Transect Survey Data, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012

    This data package contains three tables: 1) avian point-transect survey data collected on the Seward Peninsula in 2012, 2) locations of all survey sites, and 3) an avian taxonomy table for reference.
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Avian Habitat Data; Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012

    This data package contains two tables with habitat measurements from each sampling point used in avian point-transect surveys on the Seward Peninsula in 2012 and the locations of those sites. Measurements include percent cover and canopy height of alder (Alnus spp.), dwarf birch (Betula spp.), ericaceous shrubs (e.g., Empetrum, Vaccinium spp.), herbaceous, lichen (e.g., Cladonia spp.), and willow
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Juvenile Shorebird Morphological Data Collected in Alaska and Canada

    This dataset consists of shorebird chick measurements (wing, primary feather 10, diagonal tarsus, and bill length) and body mass for various shorebird species captured in Alaska and Canada during 1978-2022. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, and collaborators from many government agencies and research institutions have studied shorebirds at numerous sites across N
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Arthropod Abundance and Shrub Cover and Height on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2015-2016

    This data set contains information (in three tables) with numbers and biomass of invertebrates (primarily arthropods) collected in pitfall-trap arrays and sweep-net samples on a series of plots (n = 13 total) at one coastal and one interior study site on the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska during the summers of 2015 and 2016. Associated data on the horizontal cover and height of shrub vege
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Data Associated with Poecivirus Testing of Individual Birds with Beak Deformities

    This data set is comprised of two tables, one with results of poecivirus screening of tissues from six North American avian species using PCR followed by Sanger sequencing in addition to unbiased metagenomic sequencing, the second lists the names and sequences of primers used.
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Nesting Habitat and Nest Survival Data for American (Pluvialis dominica) and Pacific (P. fulva) Golden-Plovers on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012-2013

    This data set contains information (in two tables) on nesting habitat and nest survival for American (Pluvialis dominica) and Pacific (P. fulva) Golden-Plovers monitored at seven study sites across an elevational gradient (28-416 m) on the Seward Peninsula in northwestern Alaska during the summers of 2012 and 2013. We used principal components analysis to reduce habitat measurements into two compo
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Measurements Used to Determine the Sex of Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numenius tahitiensis)

    This data set contains bill and tarsal measurements from 114 Bristle-thighed Curlews, captured on breeding grounds in Alaska, and non-breeding areas in Hawaii and Reitoru atoll, French Polynesia.
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Genetic data associated with avian keratin disorder and Poecivirus in black-capped chickadees, Alaska, 2016-2017

    This dataset contains results of genetic screening for Poecivirus from samples of black-capped chickadees (BCCH; Poecile atricapillus) with and without clinical signs of avian keratin disorder (AKD). Data include information on detection/non-detection of the virus in tissue collected with buccal swabs, cloacal swabs, blood samples, and fecal samples from up to 124 individuals between 2015 and 2017
    By
    Alaska Science Center

    Data for Montane-breeding Bird Distribution and Abundance across National Parks of Southwestern Alaska, 2004-2008

    Observation data and model covariate data from breeding bird inventory conducted during May-June 2004 and 2008 primarily in montane areas (>100 m above sea level) in Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve (Aniakchak NMP), Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai NPP), and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Lake Clark NPP) in southwestern Alaska. Observers conducted 1,021 point counts
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    Alaska Science Center

    Audio Data for Assessing Avian Detectability, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2013-2014

    This data set contains information from recording devices that we placed at 11 site-years, set to record regularly during summer breeding seasons. A single observer listened to 2692 recordings, noting which species were heard during each 10-min recording. We used this information to examine how avian detectability varied by day of season, time of day, and ambient temperature. All study locations w
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    Alaska Science Center

    Avian Point Count, Habitat, and Covariate Data for Subarctic Bird Abundance, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2012-2014

    This data package contains three tables: avian counts by species, habitat type, a covariate information used for analysis of bird surveys conducted between 2012 and 2014 on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, as part of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative. We conducted 1,208 point counts on 12 study blocks from 2012-2014 in northwestern Alaska, using repeated surveys to account for imperfect
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    Alaska Science Center
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  • Publications
    Filter Total Items: 90

    Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): An emerging disease threat in North America

    Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an ecologically and economically significant avian disease that is quickly spreading among wild and domestic birds throughout North America. In this blog post, we provide information and resources that can help you to be informed, be prepared, and be ready to take appropriate action should you observe wild birds that may be affected by HPAI.
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    The Pacific as the world’s greatest theater of bird migration: Extreme flights spark questions about physiological capabilities, behavior, and the evolution of migratory pathways

    The Pacific Basin, by virtue of its vastness and its complex aeroscape, provides unique opportunities to address questions about the behavioral and physiological capabilities and mechanisms through which birds can complete spectacular flights. No longer is the Pacific seen just as a formidable barrier between terrestrial habitats in the north and the south, but rather as a gateway for specialized
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Alaska Landbird Conservation Plan

    Alaska is a land of extremes. The diversity of its avifauna reflects the heterogeneity of its landscape, with more than 500 species of birds recorded in the state. Species inhabiting primarily terrestrial habitats, known collectively as landbirds, constitute the largest and most ecologically diverse component of the Alaska avifauna. Habitats used by landbirds range from temperate rainforests in so
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Alaska landbird montoring survey: Alaska regional protocol framework for monitoring landbirds using point counts

    Alaska provides habitat for 143 species of landbirds that occur regularly in the state, about half of which breed predominantly north of the border between the contiguous United States and Canada. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern populations are inadequately monitored by this program because of a paucity o
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Willow drives changes in arthropod communities of northwestern Alaska: Ecological implications of shrub expansion

    Arthropods serve as complex linkages between plants and higher-level predators in Arctic ecosystems and provide key ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling. Arctic plant communities are changing as tall woody shrubs expand onto tundra, but potential effects on arthropod abundance and food web structure remain unclear. Changes in vegetation structure can alter the physical habit
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Poecivirus is present in individuals with beak deformities in seven species of North American birds

    Avian keratin disorder (AKD), a disease of unknown etiology characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth, has increasingly affected wild bird populations since the 1990s. A novel picornavirus, poecivirus, is closely correlated with disease status in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) in Alaska. However, our knowledge of the relationship between poecivirus and beak deformities in other
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Does habitat partitioning by sympatric plovers affect nest survival?

    The vertical structure and composition of vegetation can influence the quantity and quality of potential nesting sites for birds. Interspecific competition for high-quality nesting habitat may force some individuals into suboptimal habitat and lead to reduced reproductive success, eventually leading to changes in distribution or abundance. Large climate-mediated shifts in vegetation, including the
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Through thick and thin: Sexing Bristle-thighed Curlews Numenius tahitiensis using measures of bill depth

    Birds often exhibit diagnostic traits that differ among individuals of the same species with regard to factors like sex, age, or breeding status. Shorebirds exhibit a wide diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes of their bills, and these traits are commonly used to determine the sex of individuals. In curlews (genus Numenius), length alone accurately separates the sexes in some species, but the sha
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Monitoring boreal avian populations: How can we estimate trends and trajectories from noisy data?

    Substantial effort has been dedicated to developing reliable monitoring schemes for North American bird populations, but our ability to monitor bird populations in the boreal forest remains limited because of the sparsity of long-term data sets, particularly in northerly regions. Given the importance of the boreal forest for many migratory birds, we set out to (1) summarize the main challenges ass
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Prevalence and diversity of avian blood parasites in a resident northern passerine

    Background: Climate-related changes are expected to influence the prevalence and distribution of vector-borne haemosporidian parasites at northern latitudes, although baseline information about resident birds is still lacking. In this study, we investigated prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon parasites infecting the Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus), a
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Evidence of Culiseta mosquitoes as vectors for Plasmodium parasites in Alaska

    Mosquito vectors play a crucial role in the distribution of avian Plasmodium parasites worldwide. At northern latitudes, where climate warming is most pronounced, there are questions about possible changes in the abundance and distribution of Plasmodium parasites, their vectors, and their impacts to avian hosts. To better understand the transmission of Plasmodium among local birds and to gather ba
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

    Population trends of birds wintering in the Central Valley of California

    Since the 1970s, the Central Valley of California has seen a large investment in preservation and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas. At the same time, grasslands have been lost to vineyards, orchards, and residential development at an accelerating rate. We analyzed data from 17 Christmas Bird Count circles that were surveyed regularly between winter 1978–79 and winter 2013–14 to document
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    Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
  • News
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    New Alaska Landbird Conservation Plan and Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey Protocol

    Alaska, where four major migratory flyways converge, hosts a diverse array of globally important avian habitats, ranging from towering rainforests to...

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    Story Map on the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

    A creative story map showcasing the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS) has recently been developed by the Alaska Migratory Bird Management of...

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    "Ultra Marathon Champion" Bird May Plan Flights Based on Weather Across Pacific

    A recent U.S. Geological Survey-led study of the bar-tailed godwit, a shorebird known famously as the ultimate marathon champion of bird flight...

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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government