Robert E Gill, Jr.
The movement ecology of migratory animals, especially extreme endurance migrant birds, fascinates me. Alaska migratory shorebirds have links to all hemispheres, requiring international collaborations to implement effective conservations efforts.
Through an emeritus position at the Alaska Science Center my research is focused on: 1) collaborations with an international suite of colleagues to assess the movement ecology of extreme endurance migrant shorebirds and identify the global-scale conservation issues facing their populations, and 2) releasing data to the public domain and publishing results associated with information collected during my five-decade-long tenure as a research biologist.
Professional Experience
2015 - present Scientist Emeritus USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1996 - 2015 Research Wildlife Biologist USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1993 - 1996 Wildlife Biologist NBS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1987 - 1993 Wildlife Biologist USFWS, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, AK
1984 - 1987 Wildlife Biologist Denver Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, AK
1981 - 1983 Wildlife Biologist Seattle National Fisheries Research Center, Anchorage, AK
1976 - 1980 Wildlife Biologist US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK
1973 - 1976 Wildlife Biologist California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph. D. 2010 - present Groningen University, The Netherlands
M.S. 1972 San Jose State University, San Jose, CA Biology
B.A. 1970 San Jose State College, San Jose, CA Wildlife Management
Affiliations and Memberships*
Alaska Shorebird Group (Founding member)
American Ornithologists' Union (Life member, Elective Member 1983, Fellow 2011)
Arctic Institute of North America (Life member)
Australasian Wader Studies Group (North American Representative, 2001-2010)
Canada Shorebird Plan (Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, 1998-2001)
Cooper Ornithological Society (Life member)
East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Working Group (U.S. representative, 2002-2007)
Global Flyway Network (Member, Scientific Advisory Board (2001-present)
International Wader Study Group (Life member; Executive Committee, 1999-2008; Editorial Advisory Board, 2012-present)
New Zealand Wader Study Group
Pacific Shorebird Migration Project (Co-PI, 2006-present)
Russian Working Group on Waders
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (Founding Member; Advisory Board, 2008-present)
Western Field Ornithologists (Board of Directors, 1999-2015; Assoc. Editor, 2005-present)
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, 2004-2012)
U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (Chair, Research and Monitoring Group, 1998-2001)
Abstracts and Presentations
Five invited keynote, 14 invited, and >60 contributed presentations before various scientific bodies.
Science and Products
Notes on longevity and flightlessness in bristle-thighed curlews
Avifaunal remains from the Utqiagvik Village Site, North Alaska
Shorebirds and herring roe in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Bristle-thighed curlews, biologists, and bird tours - A place for all
What won't Turnstones eat?
Pacific Coast Caspian Terns: Dynamics of an expanding population
Yellow birds stand out in a crowd
Memorial to a Black Turnstone: An examplar of breeding and wintering site fidelity
Use of nearshore and estuarine areas by gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in the eastern Bering Sea
Population and status of Emperor Geese along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula
Birds of the northcentral Alaska Peninsula, 1976-1980
An annotated bibliography of literature on Alaska water birds
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 92
Notes on longevity and flightlessness in bristle-thighed curlews
Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numenius tahitiensis) are among the least-studied shorebirds in the world. They have a highly restricted breeding range in western Alaska and winter exclusively on remote islands in the central and south Pacific (AOU 1983, Kessel 1989). The status of these birds is not known, but they are considered to be rare throughout their range (Johnsgard 1981). We describe two unusuAuthorsJ.S. Marks, R. L. Redmond, P. Hendricks, R. B. Clapp, Robert E. GillAvifaunal remains from the Utqiagvik Village Site, North Alaska
No abstract available.AuthorsJ.E. Lobdell, Robert E. GillShorebirds and herring roe in Prince William Sound, Alaska
No abstract available.AuthorsDavid W. Norton, Stanley E. Senner, Robert E. Gill, Philip D. Martin, J.M. Wright, Allan K. FukuyamaBristle-thighed curlews, biologists, and bird tours - A place for all
No abstract available.AuthorsRobert E. Gill, B. J. McCaffery, T.G. TobishWhat won't Turnstones eat?
The Turnstone Arenaria interpres probably has one of the most varied diets of any wader species. Besides the 'normal' foods taken (see, e.g., Prater 1972, Nettleship 1973, Jones 1975), a considerable variety of 'unusual' foods and feeding behaviours has also been reported. Items taken include soap, gull excrement, dog food, potato peels, cheese, oatmeal, and the flesh of dead animals, including biAuthorsRobert E. GillPacific Coast Caspian Terns: Dynamics of an expanding population
Nesting distribution, age-related seasonal movements, survivorship, and mechanisms of population expansion in Pacific Coast Caspian Terns (Sterna caspia) were examined primarily through analysis of 412 recoveries of birds banded as juveniles between 1935 and 1980. Since the beginning of this century, the population has shifted from nesting in numerous small colonies associated with freshwater marsAuthorsRobert E. Gill, L. Richard MewaldtYellow birds stand out in a crowd
Highly visible auxiliary markers, such as neck collars, nasal saddles, patagial tags, and leg streamers, are used regularly and effectively with banding in studying migration and distribution of large birds (e.g. waterfowl, birds of prey, wading birds). Simply stated, a large bird can accommodate a marker that is large enough to be seen readily by an observer but still small enough not to alter beAuthorsColleen M. Handel, Robert E. GillMemorial to a Black Turnstone: An examplar of breeding and wintering site fidelity
Most of us who have banded long-distance migrants are aware, through recaptures of individuals, of the high degree of site fidelity exhibited by many bird species. It is not uncommon for a bander to have a marked bird remain in the vicinity of its banding site throughout a season and then to recapture or sight the bird there during the following season, or occasionally for several successive seasoAuthorsRobert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel, Leonard A. SheltonUse of nearshore and estuarine areas by gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in the eastern Bering Sea
During spring aerial surveys of the coast of the southeastern Bering Sea significant numbers of gray whales were seen in nearshore waters along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. Many (50-80%) of these animals were observed surfacing with mud trails or lying on their sides, characteristics both associated with feeding. A migration route close to shore (within 1-2 km) was used until whales neaAuthorsRobert E. Gill, John D. HallPopulation and status of Emperor Geese along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula
We gathered information on the timing of spring and autumn migration of Emperor Geese Anser canagicus from Nelson Lagoon, the age ratios of geese during autumn migration, and the numbers of geese in estuaries along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay during spring and autumn migration. Birds staged in most of the lagoons and bays along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula, butAuthorsMargaret R. Petersen, Robert E. GillBirds of the northcentral Alaska Peninsula, 1976-1980
Between spring 1976 and fall 1980 we studied the occurrence, abundance, and habitat use of birds over a 2000 square km segment of the northcentral Alaska Peninsula. During this period observers were present 473 days and obtained records for all seasons. A total of 125 species was recorded; 63% (79 of 125) were water-associated. The breeding avifauna was found to be a mixture of Panboreal (49%), NoAuthorsRobert E. Gill, Margaret R. Petersen, Paul D. JorgensenAn annotated bibliography of literature on Alaska water birds
The demand for information on birds in Alaska has surged within the past few years, primarily because of the need to adequately assess the impacts of a wide range of planned developments. The accompanying increase in studies of avian populations has resulted in a growing need for a comprehensive bibliography of Alaska ornithology. An initial effort by Bartonek and Lensink (1978) provided a list ofAuthorsColleen M. Handel, Margaret R. Petersen, Robert E. Gill, Calvin J. Lensink - 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