Lee Tibbitts
Shorebird ecology, population monitoring, waterbird conservation.
Professional Experience
1998 - Present Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1988 - 1998 Biological Technician/General Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/ National Biological Service, Anchorage, Alaska
1981 - 1988 Various biotechnical positions, federal/ state wildlife agencies and universities, Oregon and Hawaii
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2000 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Wildlife Biology
B.S. 1982 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Wilson Ornithological Society
American Ornithologist's Union
Cooper Ornithological Society
Association of Field Ornithologists
Waterbird Society
Wader Study Group
Science and Products
Winter movement dynamics of black brant
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska
Shorebird avoidance of nearshore feeding and roosting areas at night correlates with presence of a nocturnal avian predator
Pelagic seabird surveys in the Tuamotu and Gambier Archipelagos, French Polynesia
First record of laughing gull (Larus atricilla) in French Polynesia
Use of digital multispectral videography to assess seagrass distribution in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico
Long-term change in eelgrass distribution at Bahía San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico, using satellite imagery
Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
Seasonal shorebird use of intertidal habitats in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Brood amalgamation in the Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis: process and function
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
Filter Total Items: 18No Result Found
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 48
Winter movement dynamics of black brant
Although North American geese are managed based on their breeding distributions, the dynamics of those breeding populations may be affected by events that occur during the winter. Birth rates of capital breeding geese may be influenced by wintering conditions, mortality may be influenced by timing of migration and wintering distribution, and immigration and emigration among breeding populations maAuthorsMark S. Lindberg, David H. Ward, T. Lee Tibbitts, John RoserInventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves
As part of the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program, biologists from the U. S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center conducted an inventory of birds in montane regions of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves during 2004–2006. We used a stratified random survey design to allocate samples by ecological subsection. To survey for birds, we conducted counts at 468AuthorsDaniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. HandelInventory of montane-nesting birds in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska
The Alaska Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey conducted an inventory of birds in montane areas of the four northern parks in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska. This effort represents the first comprehensive assessment of breeding range and habitat associations for the majority of avian species in the Arctic Network. Ultimately, these data provide a framework upon which to desiAuthorsT. Lee Tibbitts, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. HandelShorebird avoidance of nearshore feeding and roosting areas at night correlates with presence of a nocturnal avian predator
We here report two anecdotes about avianinteractions relevant to the interpretation of differences in shorebirdhabitat use between day and night. Several studies have reported that shorebirds avoid feeding and roosting along nearshore areasat night yet commonly use these sites during daytime. This suggests that nighttime avoidance of nearshore places is a response to increased danger of predation.AuthorsTheunis Piersma, Robert E. Gill, Petra de Goeij, Anne Dekinga, Marnie Shepherd, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee TibbittsPelagic seabird surveys in the Tuamotu and Gambier Archipelagos, French Polynesia
We conducted pelagic seabird surveys in the Gambier and Tuamotu Archipelagos in the southeastern Pacific Ocean totaling 40 hours during 7-27 March 2003 and 22.5 hours during 22-27 July 2001. We used a 300-m-wide strip transect to estimate seabird density, and we estimated relative abundance of birds at all distances. In 2001, we observed a total of 326 birds of 18 species. The mean relative abundaAuthorsEric A. Vanderwerf, Ray J. Pierce, Verena A. Gill, Graham Wragg, Philippe Raust, T. Lee TibbittsFirst record of laughing gull (Larus atricilla) in French Polynesia
On 6 March 2003 at 0800 h and again at 1300 h, while preparing for biological surveys in the Tuamotu and Gambier archipelagos of French Polynesia, we observed an immature gull flying in Rikitea harbor on Mangareva in the Gambier Islands. On both occasions we observed the gull for several minutes at distances as close as 20 m while it flew around the waterfront. It was a medium-sized gull, with lonAuthorsEric A. Vanderwerf, Ray J. Pierce, T. Lee Tibbitts, J.-M. Salducci, V.A. Gill, Graham WraggUse of digital multispectral videography to assess seagrass distribution in San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico
Apparent threats to the spatial distribution of seagrass in San Quintín Bay prompted us to make a detailed assessment of habitats in the bay. Six coastal habitats and three seagrass subclasses were delineated using airborne digital multispectral videography (DMSV). Eelgrass, Zostera marina, was the predominant seagrass and covered 40% (1949 ha) of the areal extent of the bay in 1999. Eelgrass grewAuthorsDavid H. Ward, T. Lee Tibbitts, Alexandra Morton, Eduardo Carrera-Gonzalez, R. KempkaLong-term change in eelgrass distribution at Bahía San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico, using satellite imagery
Seagrasses are critically important components of many marine coastal and estuarine ecosystems, but are declining worldwide. Spatial change in distribution of eelgrass, Zostera marina L., was assessed at Bahía San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico, using a map to map comparison of data interpreted from a 1987 Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre multispectral satellite image and a 2000 LandsatAuthorsDavid H. Ward, Alexandra Morton, T. Lee Tibbitts, David C. Douglas, Eduardo Carrera-GonzalezBristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
No abstract availableAuthorsJ.S. Marks, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, Brian J. McCafferySeasonal shorebird use of intertidal habitats in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Seasonal shorebird use of intertidal habitats of Cook Inlet, Alaska, was studied from February 1997 to February 1999 using aerial surveys as the principal method of assessment. On-ground studies were conducted to validate aerial survey results and to assess shorebird use of vegetated habitats, especially during the breeding season. Twenty-eight species of shorebirds were recorded using the area, rAuthorsRobert E. Gill, T. Lee TibbittsBrood amalgamation in the Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis: process and function
Alloparental care in birds generally involves nonbreeding adults that help at nests or breeding adults that help raise young in communal nests. A less often reported form involves the amalgamation of broods, where one or more adults care for young that are not their own. We observed this phenomenon among Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis broods in western Alaska during 1990–1992. AmalgamAuthorsRichard B. Lanctot, Robert E. Gill, T. Lee Tibbitts, Colleen M. Handel - News
*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