J David Wiens
I am a Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
My research interest include avian ecology, conservation of threatened and endangered species, population dynamics of forest and rangeland raptor species.
Professional Experience
2010 - Present: USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist, Corvallis, OR
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Wildlife Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (2012)
M.S., Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (2004)
B.S., Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ (1993)
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Anticoagulant rodenticides in Strix owls indicate widespread exposure in west coast forests
Effects of experimental removal of Barred Owls on population Demography of Northern Spotted Owls in Washington and Oregon—2018 Progress Report
Geographic variation in natal dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls over 28 years
Three-dimensional partitioning of resources by congeneric forest predators with recent sympatry
Barred owl research needs and prioritization in California
Northern spotted owl habitat and populations: Status and threats
Effects of experimental removal of Barred Owls on population demography of Northern Spotted Owls in Washington and Oregon—2017 progress report
Golden Eagle Monitoring Plan for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
Spatial patterns in occupancy and reproduction of Golden Eagles during drought: Prospects for conservation in changing environments
Integrating count and detection–nondetection data to model population dynamics
Effects of experimental removal of barred owls on population demography of northern spotted owls in Washington and Oregon—2016 progress report
Quantifying the demographic cost of human-related mortality to a raptor population
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Northern Spotted Owl Still Fights for Survival
Three studies highlight how the interactions between northern spotted owl and the invasive barred owl are intertwined.
Science and Products
- Science
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If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
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If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Filter Total Items: 31Anticoagulant rodenticides in Strix owls indicate widespread exposure in west coast forests
Exposure of nontarget wildlife to anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) is a global conservation concern typically centered around urban or agricultural areas. Recently, however, the illegal use of ARs in remote forests of California, USA, has exposed sensitive predators, including the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). We used congeneric barred owls (S. varia) as aAuthorsDavid Wiens, Krista E. Dilione, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Garth Herring, Damon B. Lesmeister, Mourad W. Gabriel, Greta Wengert, David C. SimonEffects of experimental removal of Barred Owls on population Demography of Northern Spotted Owls in Washington and Oregon—2018 Progress Report
Populations of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina; herineafter referred to as Spotted Owl) have declined throughout the subspecies’ geographic range. Evidence indicates that competition with invading Barred Owls (S. varia) has contributed significantly to those declines. A pilot study in California showed that removal of Barred Owls coupled with conservation of suitable habitat condAuthorsJ. David Wiens, Katie M. Dugger, Damon B. Lesmeister, Krista E. Dilione, David C. SimonGeographic variation in natal dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls over 28 years
The most recent comprehensive estimates of Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) natal dispersal distances were reported in 2002. Since then, Northern Spotted Owl populations have experienced substantial demographic changes, with potential attendant changes in natal dispersal distances, including temporal or geographic trends. We analyzed the natal dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls duAuthorsJeff Hollenbeck, Susan M. Haig, Eric D. Forsman, David WiensThree-dimensional partitioning of resources by congeneric forest predators with recent sympatry
Coexistence of ecologically similar species can be maintained by partitioning along one or more niche axes. Three-dimensional structural complexity is central to facilitating resource partitioning between many forest species, but is underrepresented in field-based studies. We examined resource selection by sympatric northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina), a threatened species under theAuthorsJulianna M Jenkins, Damon B. Lesmeister, David Wiens, Jonathan T Kane, Van R. Kane, Jake V VerschuylBarred owl research needs and prioritization in California
Barred owls (Strix varia) have reached high densities within the range of the northern spotted owl (S. occidentalis caurina) and are rapidly increasing in number within the range of the California spotted owl (S. o. occidentalis). Encroaching populations of barred owls pose a significant competitive threat to the viability of both spotted owl subspecies in California. In response, the Director ofAuthorsZach Peery, David Wiens, Robin Bown, Peter C. Carlson, Katie Dugger, Jack Dumbacher, Alan B. Franklin, Keith A. Hamm, Mark Higley, John J. KeaneNorthern spotted owl habitat and populations: Status and threats
The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1990 (USFWS 1990). Providing adequate amounts of suitable forest cover to sustain the subspecies was a major component of the first recovery plan for northern spotted owls (USFWS 1992) and a driver in the basic reserve design and old-forest restoration under the Northwest Forest PlanAuthorsDamon B. Lesmeister, Ramond J Davis, Peter H Singleton, David WiensEffects of experimental removal of Barred Owls on population demography of Northern Spotted Owls in Washington and Oregon—2017 progress report
Populations of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina; hereinafter referred to as Spotted Owl) are declining throughout this subspecies’ geographic range. Evidence indicates that competition with invading populations of Barred Owls (S. varia) has contributed significantly to those declines. A pilot study in California showed that localized removal of Barred Owls coupled with conservatioAuthorsJ. David Wiens, Katie M. Dugger, Damon B. Lesmeister, Krista E. Dilione, David C. SimonGolden Eagle Monitoring Plan for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
This report describes options for monitoring the status and population trends of the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) within the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) area of Southern California in maintaining stable or increasing population in the planning area. The report profiles the ecology of golden eagles in the region and provides a range of potential sampling options to addressAuthorsDavid Wiens, Patrick Kolar, Todd E. KatznerSpatial patterns in occupancy and reproduction of Golden Eagles during drought: Prospects for conservation in changing environments
We used a broad-scale sampling design to investigate spatial patterns in occupancy and breeding success of territorial pairs of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in the Diablo Range, California, USA, during a period of exceptional drought (2014–2016). We surveyed 138 randomly selected sample sites over 4 occasions each year and identified 199 pairs of eagles, 100 of which were detected in focal saAuthorsDavid Wiens, Patrick Kolar, W. Grainger Hunt, Teresa Hunt, Mark R. Fuller, Douglas A. BellIntegrating count and detection–nondetection data to model population dynamics
There is increasing need for methods that integrate multiple data types into a single analytical framework as the spatial and temporal scale of ecological research expands. Current work on this topic primarily focuses on combining capture–recapture data from marked individuals with other data types into integrated population models. Yet, studies of species distributions and trends often rely on daAuthorsElise F. Zipkin, Sam Rossman, Charles B. Yackulic, David Wiens, James T. Thorson, Raymond J. Davis, Evan H. Campbell GrantEffects of experimental removal of barred owls on population demography of northern spotted owls in Washington and Oregon—2016 progress report
Evidence indicates that competition with invasive barred owls (Strix varia) is causing rapid declines in populations of northern spotted owls (S. occidentalis caurina), and that the long-term persistence of spotted owls may be in question without additional management intervention. A pilot study in California showed that removal of barred owls in combination with habitat conservation may be able tAuthorsJ. David Wiens, Katie M. Dugger, Krista E. Lewicki, David C. SimonQuantifying the demographic cost of human-related mortality to a raptor population
Raptors are exposed to a wide variety of human-related mortality agents, and yet population-level effects are rarely quantified. Doing so requires modeling vital rates in the context of species life-history, behavior, and population dynamics theory. In this paper, we explore the details of such an analysis by focusing on the demography of a resident, tree-nesting population of golden eagles (AquilAuthorsW. Grainger Hunt, David Wiens, Peter R. Law, Mark R. Fuller, Teresa L. Hunt, Daniel E. Driscoll, Ronald E. Jackman - News
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Northern Spotted Owl Still Fights for Survival
Three studies highlight how the interactions between northern spotted owl and the invasive barred owl are intertwined.