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David Ziolkowski Jr.

Dave is a Wildlife Biologist at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center where he serves as the program ornithologist for the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). 

Dave has been actively involved in wildlife research for over 30 years, both in the U.S. and abroad, and has worked on myriad topics spanning the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, biogeography, toxicology, and population monitoring.  He works to strengthen coordination and management of the scientifically rigorous, citizen-science based BBS, including building research and multi-level inter-agency partnerships, strategic planning, project management of web-enabled database applications, and quality engagement with thousands of highly-skilled volunteer observers.  He is a recognized expert on birds and birdlife as well as in many other areas of natural history. 

Professional Experience

  • 2020-present, Wildlife Biologist, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge

  • 2005-2020, Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

  • Oct 2007-Jan 2008, Information Specialist (Detail appointment), USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

  • 2004-2005, Wildlife Toxicologist, Toxicology Directorate, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine 

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in Biology, University of Missouri St. Louis (2003)

  • B.S. in Biology, Towson University, MD (1997)

  • A.A. in Economics, Harford Community College, MD. (1995) 

Honors and Awards

  • STAR Award, USGS. For management of the BBS program (2020)

  • Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, University of Missouri St. Louis (2000)

  • Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, Towson University (1996)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 14

The North American Breeding Bird Survey in Mexico, 2008 to 2018—A status report

Collection of avian population data has repeatedly been identified as a high priority for bird conservation in Mexico. To meet this need, in 2008 the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), a volunteer-based survey, was expanded to include northern Mexico. The BBS in Mexico (Mexican BBS) is managed by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), Mexico’s National Coordination Office
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Maryland birds through time series— New!

No abstract available.
Authors
David Ziolkowski, John R. Sauer

Strategic Plan for the North American Breeding Bird Survey, 2020–30

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has been the cornerstone of continental bird conservation and management for hundreds of North American bird species in the United States and Canada for more than 50 years. This strategic plan was developed in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders and charts the ambitious course for the BBS over the next decade (2020–30). Using this plan as
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Migratory behavior and winter geography drive differential range shifts of eastern birds in response to recent climate change

Over the past half century, migratory birds in North America have shown divergent population trends relative to resident species, with the former declining rapidly and the latter increasing. The role that climate change has played in these observed trends is not well understood, despite significant warming over this period. We used 43 y of monitoring data to fit dynamic species distribution models
Authors
Clark Rushing, Andy Royle, David Ziolkowski, Keith L. Pardieck
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Modeling spatially and temporally complex range dynamics when detection is imperfect

Species distributions are determined by the interaction of multiple biotic and abiotic factors, which produces complex spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence. As habitats and climate change due to anthropogenic activities, there is a need to develop species distribution models that can quantify these complex range dynamics. In this paper, we develop a dynamic occupancy model that uses a spati
Authors
Clark S. Rushing, J. Andrew Royle, David Ziolkowski, Keith L. Pardieck
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Consistency counts: Modeling the effects of a change in protocol on Breeding Bird Survey counts

Analysis of North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data requires controls for factors that influence detectability of birds along survey routes. Identifying factors that influence the counting process and incorporating them into analyses is a primary means of limiting bias in estimates of population change. Twedt (2015) implemented an alternative counting protocol on operational and non-rand
Authors
John R. Sauer, William A. Link, David Ziolkowski, Keith L. Pardieck, Daniel J. Twedt
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

How well do route survey areas represent landscapes at larger spatial extents? An analysis of land cover composition along Breeding Bird Survey routes

The occurrence of birds in a survey unit is partly determined by the habitat present. Moreover, some bird species preferentially avoid some land cover types and are attracted to others. As such, land cover composition within the 400 m survey areas along a Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) route clearly influences the species available to be detected. Ideally, to extend survey results to the larger landsc
Authors
Joseph A. Veech, Keith L. Pardieck, David Ziolkowski
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

The first 50 years of the North American Breeding Bird Survey

The vision of Chandler (Chan) S. Robbins for a continental-scale omnibus survey of breeding birds led to the development of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Chan was uniquely suited to develop the BBS. His position as a government scientist had given him experience with designing and implementing continental-scale surveys, his research background made him an effective advocate of the
Authors
John R. Sauer, David Ziolkowski, Keith L. Pardieck, Adam C. Smith, Marie-Anne R. Hudson, Vicente Rodriguez, Humberto Berlanga, Daniel Niven, William A. Link
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Expanding the North American Breeding Bird Survey analysis to include additional species and regions

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) contains data for >700 bird species, but analyses often focus on a core group of ∼420 species. We analyzed data for 122 species of North American birds for which data exist in the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) database but are not routinely analyzed on the BBS Summary and Analysis Website. Many of these species occur in the northern part of
Authors
John R. Sauer, Daniel Niven, Keith L. Pardieck, David Ziolkowski, William A. Link
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Estimating indices of range shifts in birds using dynamic models when detection is imperfect

There is intense interest in basic and applied ecology about the effect of global change on current and future species distributions. Projections based on widely used static modeling methods implicitly assume that species are in equilibrium with the environment and that detection during surveys is perfect. We used multiseason correlated detection occupancy models, which avoid these assumptions, to
Authors
Matthew J. Clement, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, Keith L. Pardieck, David J. Ziolkowski
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

The North American Breeding Bird Survey 1966–2011: Summary analysis and species accounts

The North American Breeding Bird Survey is a roadside, count-based survey conducted by volunteer observers. Begun in 1966, it now is a primary source of information on spatial and temporal patterns of population change for North American birds. We analyze population change for states, provinces, Bird Conservation Regions, and the entire survey within the contiguous United States and southern Canad
Authors
John R. Sauer, William A. Link, Jane E. Fallon, Keith L. Pardieck, David J. Ziolkowski
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

On the road again for a bird survey that counts

Authors
Dave Ziolkowski, Keith Pardieck, John R. Sauer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Mark S Johnson, Ward Theodore Wickwire, Michael J Quinn, David J Ziolkowski Jr, Dima Burmistrov, Charles A Menzie, Ciaran Geraghty, Michael Minnich, Patrick J Parsons. 2007. Are Songbirds at Risk from Lead at Small Arms Ranges? An Application of the Spatially Explicit Exposure Model. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:2215-25. DOI:10.1897/07-068R.1
Diane L. Neudorf, David J. Ziolkowski Jr, Val Nolan Jr, Ellen D. Ketterson. 2002. Testosterone Manipulation of Male Attractiveness has no Detectable Effect on Female Home‐Range Size and Behavior During the Fertile Period. Ethology 108:713 - 726. DOI:10.1046/j.1439-0310.2002.00806.x
David J Ziolkowski Jr, L. Scott Johnson, Kristina M. Hannam, William A. Searcy. 1997. Coordination of Female Nest Attentiveness with Male Song Output in the Cavity-Nesting House Wren Troglodytes aedon. Journal of Avian Biology 28:9-14. DOI:10.2307/36770

**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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Net change in occupancy probability for CARW 1972-2012

Spatio-Temporal Statistical Models for Forecasting Climate Change Effects on Bird Distribution

Ecological indicators of climate change are needed to measure concurrent changes in ecological systems, inform management decisions, and forecast the consequences of climate change. We seek to develop robust bird-based, climate-change indicators using North American Breeding Bird Survey data.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Spatio-Temporal Statistical Models for Forecasting Climate Change Effects on Bird Distribution

Ecological indicators of climate change are needed to measure concurrent changes in ecological systems, inform management decisions, and forecast the consequences of climate change. We seek to develop robust bird-based, climate-change indicators using North American Breeding Bird Survey data.
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Shrike BBS Trend Map

Comprehensive 1966 - 2017 Results! North American Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey program (BBS) provides critical science-based population data for more than 400 bird species to improve our understanding of how these federally entrusted species respond to environmental variability and ecosystem change. The BBS generates results that inform Federal wildlife managers in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Department of...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Comprehensive 1966 - 2017 Results! North American Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey program (BBS) provides critical science-based population data for more than 400 bird species to improve our understanding of how these federally entrusted species respond to environmental variability and ecosystem change. The BBS generates results that inform Federal wildlife managers in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Department of...
Learn More
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BBS Routes across North America

The North American Breeding Bird Survey: Refining Scale to Provide New Insights

The Challenge: Since 1966, the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has filled a vital role in identifying at-risk bird species for Federal, State, and private entities. The BBS is a scientifically rigorous population count performed by a highly skilled, largely volunteer work force of nearly 2,500 observers. Every year these observers visit most of the survey’s 4,500 routes, which consist of...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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The North American Breeding Bird Survey: Refining Scale to Provide New Insights

The Challenge: Since 1966, the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) has filled a vital role in identifying at-risk bird species for Federal, State, and private entities. The BBS is a scientifically rigorous population count performed by a highly skilled, largely volunteer work force of nearly 2,500 observers. Every year these observers visit most of the survey’s 4,500 routes, which consist of...
Learn More

2022 Release - North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset (1966-2021)

The 1966-2021 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily in June, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes are roughly 24.5 miles
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Eastern Ecological Science Center

The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Analysis Results 1966 - 2019

This data product consists of a database of population change and abundance estimates for North American birds, estimated from North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Data are presented for 548 species of birds in 4 spreadsheets containing trend estimates and annual indices for 2 time periods. Estimates are derived for each species using the 1 of 4 alternative models, and a cross-validatio
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Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2019, version 2019.0

The 1966-2018 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (species, races, and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily in June, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes are roughly 24.5 miles
By
Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2018, version 2018.0

The 1966-2018 North American Breeding Bird Survey dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (primarily species, but also some races and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily June and May, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes
By
Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Dataset 1966 - 2016, version 2016.0

The 1966-2016 North American Breeding Bird Survey dataset contains avian point count data for more than 700 North American bird taxa (primarily species, but also some races and unidentified species groupings). These data are collected annually during the breeding season, primarily June and May, along thousands of randomly established roadside survey routes in the United States and Canada. Routes
By
Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center

North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis

This website provides visualizations of population change for North American birds using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The BBS is analyzed for a "core" area (contiguous United States and southern Canada, results available from 1966-present), and for an "expanded" survey area (including portions of Alaska and northern Canada with results from 1993-present).

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Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Scientists and Volunteers Resume Annual Survey of North America’s Wild Birds

Thousands of participants are heading out to conduct the annual North American Breeding Bird Survey, a program initiated in 1966 to track the health...

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