Daniel Esler, Ph.D.
Dan is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the Alaska Science Center and leads the Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research Program. His work focuses on nearshore marine monitoring, drivers of variation in nearshore systems, sea duck ecology and conservation, and program management.
Professional Experience
2013 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center
2001 - 2013 Research Scientist, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Delta, British Columbia
1990 - 2001 Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS/US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Biological Science Center/Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1990 Biological Technician, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 Wildlife Technician, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Okeechobee, Florida
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2000 Oregon State University Wildlife Science
M.S. 1988 Texas A&M University Wildlife Ecology
B.S. 1985 Northland College Biology/Outdoor Education
Affiliations and Memberships*
Affiliate Faculty - University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Adjunct Professor - Simon Fraser University
The Wildlife Society
Pacific Seabird Group
Sea Duck Joint Venture Continental Technical Team
Science and Products
Spring migration routes and chronology of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata): A synthesis of Pacific coast studies
Movements of wintering surf scoters: Predator responses to different prey landscapes
Effects of ACTH, capture, and short term confinement on glucocorticoid concentrations in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
A blood survey of elements, viral antibodies, and hemoparasites in wintering Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica)
Foraging behaviors of Surf Scoters and White-Winged Scoters during spawning of Pacific herring
Effects of predation by sea ducks on clam abundance in soft-bottom intertidal habitats
Inflammatory reaction to fabric collars from percutaneous antennas attached to intracoelomic radio transmitters implanted in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Proximate composition, energetic value, and relative abundance of prey fish from the inshore eastern Bering Sea: Implications for piscivorous predators
Ovarian follicle dynamics of female Greater Scaup during egg production
Genetic and demographic criteria for defining population units for conservation: The value of clear messages
Comparison of the effects and performance of four types of radiotransmitters for use with scoters
Do wintering Harlequin Ducks forage nocturnally at high latitudes?
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 85
Spring migration routes and chronology of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata): A synthesis of Pacific coast studies
Understanding interconnectivity among wintering, stopover, and breeding areas of migratory birds is pivotal to discerning how events occurring in each might have a cross-seasonal effect on another. Such information can guide the location and timing of conservation efforts. Thus, we examined spring migration routes, chronology, and stopover use of 85 surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata (L., 1758)AuthorsSusan E.W. De La Cruz, John Y. Takekawa, M. T. Wilson, D.R. Nysewander, J.R. Evenson, Daniel Esler, W. S. Boyd, David H. WardMovements of wintering surf scoters: Predator responses to different prey landscapes
The distribution of predators is widely recognized to be intimately linked to the distribution of their prey. Foraging theory suggests that predators will modify their behaviors, including movements, to optimize net energy intake when faced with variation in prey attributes or abundance. While many studies have documented changes in movement patterns of animals in response to temporal changes in fAuthorsM. Kirk, Daniel Esler, S. A. Iverson, W. S. BoydEffects of ACTH, capture, and short term confinement on glucocorticoid concentrations in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Little is known about baseline concentrations of adrenal hormones and hormonal responses to stress in sea ducks, although significant population declines documented in several species suggest that sea ducks are exposed to increased levels of environmental stress. Such declines have been observed in geographically distinct harlequin duck populations. We performed an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTAuthorsP.B. Nilsson, Tuula E. Hollmén, S. Atkinson, K.L. Mashburn, P.A. Tuomi, Daniel Esler, D.M. Mulcahy, D.J. RizzoloA blood survey of elements, viral antibodies, and hemoparasites in wintering Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica)
Twenty-eight Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and 26 Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) were captured in Prince William Sound, Alaska, between 1 and 15 March 2005. Blood was collected for quantification of element concentrations, prevalence of antibodies to several viruses, and hemoparasite prevalence and identification. Although we found selenium concentrations that have been asAuthorsD.J. Heard, D.M. Mulcahy, S. A. Iverson, D.J. Rizzolo, E.C. Greiner, J. Hall, Hon S. Ip, Daniel EslerForaging behaviors of Surf Scoters and White-Winged Scoters during spawning of Pacific herring
Winter diets of Surf (Melanitta perspicillata) and White-winged Scoters (M. fusca) are composed primarily of bivalves. During spawning of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) in early spring, scoters shift their diets to herring eggs. Using radio-telemetry, we contrasted scoter foraging behaviors between winter and herring spawning periods. Scoters increased their dive durations during herring spawninAuthorsDaniel Esler, Sean BoydEffects of predation by sea ducks on clam abundance in soft-bottom intertidal habitats
Recent studies have documented strong, top-down predation effects of sea ducks on mussel populations in rocky intertidal communities. However, the impact of these gregarious predators in soft-bottom communities has been largely unexplored. We evaluated effects of predation by wintering surf scoters Melanitta perspicillata and white-winged scoters M. fusca on clam populations in soft-bottom intertiAuthorsTyler Lewis, Daniel Esler, W. Sean BoydInflammatory reaction to fabric collars from percutaneous antennas attached to intracoelomic radio transmitters implanted in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)
In wild birds implanted intracoelomically with radio transmitters, a synthetic fabric collar placed around the base of a percutaneous antenna is believed to function as a barrier to contamination of the coelom. We examined 13 fabric collars recovered from percutaneous antennas of radio transmitters implanted intracoelomically in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) 12 months earlier. Both tAuthorsDaniel M. Mulcahy, K.A. Burek, Daniel EslerProximate composition, energetic value, and relative abundance of prey fish from the inshore eastern Bering Sea: Implications for piscivorous predators
Changing ocean conditions and subsequent shifts in forage fish communities have been linked to numerical declines of some piscivorous marine birds and mammals in the North Pacific. However, limited information about fish communities is available for some regions, including nearshore waters of the eastern Bering Sea, where many piscivores reside. We determined proximate composition and energetic vaAuthorsJ.R. Ball, Daniel Esler, Joel A. SchmutzOvarian follicle dynamics of female Greater Scaup during egg production
Studies of female waterfowl nutrient reserve use during egg production require a precise understanding of ovarian follicle dynamics to correctly interpret breeding status, and, therefore, derive proper inference. Concerns over numerical declines of North American scaup have increased the need to better understand the role of female condition in reproductive performance. We quantified ovarian folliAuthorsKristen B. Gorman, Paul L. Flint, Daniel Esler, T.D. WilliamsGenetic and demographic criteria for defining population units for conservation: The value of clear messages
In a recent paper on Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) interannual site fidelity (Iverson et al. 2004), we concluded that wintering populations were demographically structured at a finer geographic scale than that at which genetic differentiation was observed and that conservation efforts should recognize this degree of demographic independence. In a critique of our study, Pearce and TalbAuthorsDaniel Esler, S. A. Iverson, D.J. RizzoloComparison of the effects and performance of four types of radiotransmitters for use with scoters
Radiotransmitters are widely used in wildlife ecology, often providing data that cannot be collected using other methods. However, negative effects have been associated with the use of transmitters for some species. We evaluated the effects and performance of 4 radiotransmitter types for use with surf and white-winged scoters (Melanitta perspicillata and M. fusca): COEXT-coelomically implanted traAuthorsS. A. Iverson, W. S. Boyd, Daniel Esler, D.M. Mulcahy, Timothy D. BowmanDo wintering Harlequin Ducks forage nocturnally at high latitudes?
We monitored radio-tagged Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) to determine whether nocturnal feeding was part of their foraging strategy during winter in south-central Alaska. Despite attributes of our study site (low ambient temperatures, harsh weather, short day length) and study species (small body size, high daytime foraging rates) that would be expected to favor nocturnal foraging, weAuthorsDaniel Rizzolo, Daniel Esler, Daniel D. Roby, Robert L. JarvisNon-USGS Publications**
Agüero, M. L., P. G. Borboroglu, and D. Esler. 2014. Trophic ecology of breeding white-headed steamerduck (Tachyeres leucocephalus). Waterbirds 37:88-93.Hogan, D., D. Esler, and J. E. Thompson. 2013. Duration and Phenology of Remigial Molt of Barrow's Goldeneye. Condor 115 (4):762-768Palm, E. C., D. Esler, E. M. Anderson, T. D. Williams, and M. T. Wilson. 2013. Variation in physiology and energy management of wintering white-winged scoters in relation to local habitat conditions. Condor 115 (4) :750-761.Hogan, D., D. Esler, and J. E. Thompson. 2013. Variation in body mass and foraging effort of Barrow’s goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) during remigial molt. Auk 130 (2):313-322.Palm, E. C., D. Esler, E. M. Anderson, T. D. Williams, O. P. Love, and M. T. Wilson. 2013. Baseline corticosterone in wintering marine birds: methodological considerations and ecological patterns. Physiological and Biochemical. Zoology 86 (3):346-353.Hogan, D., J. E. Thompson, and D. Esler. 2013. Survival of Barrow’s goldeneyes during remigial molt and fall staging. Journal of Wildlife Management 77:701-706.Heath, J. P., W. A. Montevecchi, and D. Esler. 2012. A method for quantifying consistency in animal distributions using survey data. PLoS One 7(9): e44353.Palm, E. C., D. Esler, E. M. Anderson, and M. T. Wilson. 2012. Geographic and temporal variation in diet of wintering white-winged scoters. Waterbirds 35 (4):577-589.Federer, R., T. Hollmén, D. Esler, and M. J. Wooller. 2012. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope discrimination factors for quantifying spectacled eider nutrient allocation to egg production. Condor 114:726-732.Agüero, M. L., P. G. Borboroglu, and D. Esler. 2012. Distribution and abundance of Chubut steamerducks: an endemic species to central Patagonia, Argentina. Bird Conservation International 22:307-315.Hogan, D., J. E. Thompson, D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2011. Discovery of important postbreeding sites for Barrow’s goldeneye in the boreal transition zone of Alberta. Waterbirds 34(3):261-268.Takekawa, J. Y., S. W. De La Cruz, M. T. Wilson, E. C. Palm, J. Yee, D. R. Nyeswander, J. R. Evenson, J. M. Eadie, D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and D. H. Ward. 2011. Breeding distribution and ecology of Pacific coast surf scoters. Pages 41-64 in J.V. Wells, editor. Boreal Birds of North America: a hemispheric view of their conservation links and significance. Studies in Avian Biology (Number 41). University of California Press, Berkeley.Agüero, M. L., P. G. Borboroglu, and D. Esler. 2010. Breeding habitat attributes and nest site selection of Chubut steamerducks in Patagonia, Argentina. Emu 110:302-306.Federer, R., T. Hollmén, D. Esler, M. J. Wooller, and S. W. Wang. 2010. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope discrimination factors from diet to blood plasma, cellular blood, feathers, and adipose fatty acids in spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri). Canadian Journal of Zoology 88(9): 866-874.Esler, D., and J. C. Bond. 2010. Cross-seasonal dynamics in body mass of male harlequin ducks: a strategy for meeting costs of reproduction. Canadian Journal of Zoology 88:224-230.Iverson, S. A., and D. Esler. 2010. Harlequin duck population dynamics following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill: assessing injury and projecting a timeline to recovery. Ecological Applications 20:1993-2006.Esler, D., and S. A. Iverson. 2010. Female harlequin duck winter survival 11 to 14 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Journal of Wildlife Management 74(3):471-478.Anderson, E. M., J. R. Lovvorn, D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and K. C. Stick. 2009. Using predator distributions, diet, and condition to evaluate seasonal foraging sites: sea ducks and herring spawn. Marine Ecology Progress Series 386:287-302.Bond, J. C., S. A. Iverson, N. B. MacCallum, C. M. Smith, H. J. Bruner, and D. Esler. 2009. Variation in breeding season survival of female harlequin ducks. Journal of Wildlife Management 73: 965-972.De La Cruz, S. W., J. Y. Takekawa, M. T. Wilson, D. R. Nysewander, J. R. Evenson, D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and D. H. Ward. 2009. Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) spring migration routes and chronology: A synthesis of Pacific coast studies. Canadian Journal of Zoology 87:1069-1086.LeBourdais, S. V., R. C. Ydenberg, and D. Esler. 2009. Fish and harlequin ducks compete on breeding streams. Canadian Journal of Zoology 87(1): 31-40.Gorman, K. B., D. Esler, R. L. Walzem, and T. D. Williams. 2009. Plasma yolk precursor dynamics during egg production by female greater scaup (Aythya marila): characterization and indices of reproductive state. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 82(4): 372-381.Žydelis, R., D. Esler, M. Kirk, and W. S. Boyd. 2009. Effects of off-bottom shellfish aquaculture on winter habitat use by molluscivorous sea ducks. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 19:34-42.Bond, J. C., D. Esler, and T. D. Williams. 2008. Breeding propensity of female harlequin ducks. Journal of Wildlife Management 72(6):1388-1393.Lok, E. K., M. Kirk, D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2008. Movements of pre-migratory surf and white-winged scoters in response to Pacific herring spawn. Waterbirds 31:385-393.Bond, J.C., and D. Esler. 2008. Bill entanglement in subcutaneously-anchored radio transmitters on harlequin ducks. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120(3): 599-602.Gorman, K. B., D. Esler, P. L. Flint, and T. D. Williams. 2008. Nutrient reserve dynamics during egg production by female greater scaup (Aythya marila): relationships with timing of reproduction. Auk 125:384-394.Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2008. Foraging behaviors of surf and white-winged scoters in relation to clam density: inferring food availability and habitat quality. Auk 125:149-157.Kirk, M., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2007. Foraging effort of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) wintering in a spatially and temporally variable prey landscape. Canadian Journal of Zoology 85(12): 1207-1215.Kirk, M., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2007. Morphology and density of mussels on natural and aquaculture structure habitats: implications for sea duck predators. Marine Ecology Progress Series 346:179-187.Bond, J. C., D. Esler, and K. A. Hobson. 2007. Isotopic evidence for sources of nutrients allocated to clutch formation by harlequin ducks. Condor 109:698-704.Iverson, S. A., and D. Esler. 2007. Survival of female harlequin ducks during wing molt. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1220-1224.Bond, J. C., and D. Esler. 2006. Nutrient acquisition by female harlequin ducks prior to migration and reproduction: evidence for body mass optimization. Canadian Journal of Zoology 84: 1223-1229.Žydelis, R., D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, D. Lacroix, and M. Kirk. 2006. Habitat use by wintering surf and white-winged scoters: effects of environmental attributes and shellfish aquaculture. Journal of Wildlife Management 70(6):1754-1762.Iverson, S. A., and D. Esler. 2006. Site fidelity and the demographic implications of winter movements by a migratory bird, the harlequin duck. Journal of Avian Biology 37:219-228.Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and R. Žydelis. 2005. Nocturnal foraging behavior of wintering surf scoters and white-winged scoters. Condor 107:636-646.Lacroix, D. L., W. S. Boyd, D. Esler, M. Kirk, T. L. Lewis, and S. Lipovsky. 2005. Surf scoters aggregate in association with ephemerally abundant polychaetes. Marine Ornithology 33:61-63.Žydelis, R., and D. Esler. 2005. Response of wintering Steller’s eiders to herring spawn. Waterbirds 28:344-350.Iverson, S. A., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd. 2003. Plumage characteristics as an indicator of age class in the surf scoter. Waterbirds 26:56-61.Weller, M. W., K. C. Jensen, E. J. Taylor, M. Miller, K. S. Bollinger, D. V. Derksen, D. Esler, and C. Markon. 1994. Assessment of shoreline vegetation in relation to use by molting black brant on the Alaska coastal plain. Biological Conservation 70:219 225.Esler, D. 1992. Habitat use by piscivorous birds on a power plant cooling reservoir. Journal of Field Ornithology 63:241 249.Esler, D. 1990. Avian community responses to hydrilla invasion. Wilson Bulletin 102:427 440.Esler, D. 1990. Waterfowl habitat use on a Texas reservoir with hydrilla. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 44:390 400.Esler, D. 1989. An assessment of American coot herbivory of hydrilla. Journal of Wildlife Management 53:1147 1149.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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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