Rachel is a Wildlife Biologist for the Alaska Science Center.
Professional Experience
2012 - Present Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center
2011 - 2012 Biological Science Technician, USGS, Alaska Science Center
2009 - 2011 Wildlife Biologist, Beartooth Wildlife Research, LLC
2008 Research Technician, University of Minnesota
2007 Research Technician, University of Montana
2006 Biological Science Technician, USFS, Pacific Northwest Research Station
2005 - 2006 Research Technician, University of Arizona
2005 Research Technician, University of Minnesota
2004 - 2005 Wildlife Biologist, Ventana Wildlife Society
2003 Field Assistant, The Peregrine Fund
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2022 University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska Interdisciplinary Studies; Concentration: Wildlife Ecology
B.S. 2011 University of Montana, Missoula, Montana Wildlife Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Ornithological Society
Western Field Ornithologists
The Wildlife Society
Boreal Partners In Flight (BCR1 Coordinator)
Alaska Shorebird Group
Science and Products
Background of Beak Deformity Research
Species Affected by Beak Deformities
Physical Description of Beak Deformities
Prevalence, Distribution and Timing of Beak Deformities in Birds
Beak Deformity's Effects on Birds
Possible Causes for Beak Deformities
Literature Cited for Beak Deformities
Links Related to Beak Deformity Research
Beak Deformities in Landbirds
Landbird Research in Alaska
Data for Estimating McKay's Bunting (Plectrophenax hyperboreus) Population Change on St. Matthew and Hall Islands, Alaska
Arthropod Abundance and Shrub Cover and Height on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2015-2016
Further information on the avifauna of St. Matthew and Hall Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska
When winners become losers: Predicted nonlinear responses of arctic birds to increasing woody vegetation
Science and Products
- Science
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...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.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.Prevalence, Distribution and Timing of Beak Deformities in Birds
The rates of beak deformities documented in Black-capped Chickadees and Northwestern Crows in Alaska are the highest ever recorded within a wild bird population anywhere.Beak Deformity's Effects on Birds
Birds with beak deformities often have difficulty foraging and preening, and may not be able to keep themselves warm and well-fed during cold winter months. Although some birds with beak deformities breed successfully, they typically encounter more challenges than normal birds.Possible Causes for Beak Deformities
Beak deformities can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminants, nutritional deficiencies, disease, parasites, blunt trauma, or genetic abnormalities. We recently identified a novel picornavirus (Poecivirus) in Black-capped Chickadees with avian keratin disorder (AKD). Our results suggest that Poecivirus is the most likely factor responsible for beak deformities in Alaskan birds...Literature Cited for Beak Deformities
Literature Cited in the Beak Deformity web pagesLinks Related to Beak Deformity Research
Links, videos and news articles related to beak deformity researchBeak Deformities in Landbirds
Over the past 20 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds. This disease, called avian keratin disorder (AKD), is characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening, and may suffer high rates of mortality.Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work on Beak Deformities and Boreal Partners in Flight. - Data
Data for Estimating McKay's Bunting (Plectrophenax hyperboreus) Population Change on St. Matthew and Hall Islands, Alaska
This dataset consists of three tables relating to (1) detections of adult McKay's Buntings from line transect with distance estimation surveys on St. Matthew and Hall islands in Alaska between May 30 and June 29, 2003 and June 6 and 11, 2018, (2) environmental covariates associated with detections of adult McKay's Buntings in less than or equal to 250-m long contiguous transect segments, and (3) eArthropod 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 - Multimedia
- Publications
Further information on the avifauna of St. Matthew and Hall Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska
In June and July 2018 and July 2019 we surveyed birds on St. Matthew and Hall islands, isolated in the central Bering Sea. Our surveys were focused on the McKay’s Bunting (Plectrophenax hyperboreus), Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis ptilocnemis), and Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) but encompassed all birds and yielded 13 species and four subspecies new to the islands’ avifaunal liAuthorsBryce W. Robinson, Jack J. Withrow, Rachel M. Richardson, Steven M. Matsuoka, Robert E. Gill, Andrew S. Johnson, Irby J. Lovette, James A. Johnson, Anthony R. DeGange, Marc D. RomanoWhen winners become losers: Predicted nonlinear responses of arctic birds to increasing woody vegetation
Climate change is facilitating rapid changes in the composition and distribution of vegetation at northern latitudes, raising questions about the responses of wildlife that rely on arctic ecosystems. One widely observed change occurring in arctic tundra ecosystems is an increasing dominance of deciduous shrub vegetation. Our goals were to examine the tolerance of arctic-nesting bird species to exiAuthorsSarah J. Thompson, Colleen M. Handel, Rachel M. Richardson, Lance B. McNew - 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