Susan M Haig
Biography
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1987-89, Smithsonian Institution
Ph.D. Biology, 1987, Biology, University of North Dakota
B.S. Biology, 1979, Northland College
Specialty
Conservation genetics, avian behavioral ecology, population connectivity, endangered species policy.
Research Interests
Processes affecting persistence/extinction of small populations, conservation genetics, behavioral ecology of shorebirds, wetland ecology, mating systems, dispersal patterns and population connectivity throughout the annual cycle.
Personal Interests
Canoeing, birdwatching, badminton, Irish music
Science and Products
Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian Kingfisher nesting habitats
To provide information for managing the captive population of endangered Guam Micronesian kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina), four biologically relevant thermal metrics were compared among captive facilities on the United States mainland and habitats used by wild Micronesian kingfishers on the island of Pohnpei (H. c. reichenbachii),...
Kesler, Dylan C.; Haig, Susan M.Use of radar remote sensing (RADARSAT) to map winter wetland habitat for shorebirds in an agricultural landscape
Many of todays agricultural landscapes once held vast amounts of wetland habitat for waterbirds and other wildlife. Successful restoration of these landscapes relies on access to accurate maps of the wetlands that remain. We used C-band (5.6-cm-wavelength), HH-polarized radar remote sensing (RADARSAT) at a 38A? incidence angle (8-m resolution) to...
Taft, Oriane W.; Haig, Susan M.Winter distribution and abundance of Snowy Plovers in eastern North America and the West Indies
Serum protein changes were studied in immune and nonimmune pigeons infected with three different strains of Trichomonas gallinae. Strain I (nonvirulent) produced no change in the relative concentration of serum components. Strains II (oral canker) and III (Jones' Barn) produced decreases in albumin and alpha globulins, and increases in beta and...
Elliott-Smith, Elise; Haig, Susan M.; Ferland, C.L.; Gorman, LeahCapture of breeding and wintering shorebirds with leg-hold noose-mats
Development of effective trapping techniques is important for conservation efforts, as marking and subsequent monitoring of individuals is necessary to obtain accurate estimates of demography, movements, and habitat use. We describe a leg-hold noose-mat trap for capturing breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds. Using this method, we trapped 50 Piping...
Mehl, K.R.; Drake, K.L.; Page, G.W.; Sanzenbacher, Peter M.; Haig, Susan M.; Thompson, J.E.Historical wetlands in Oregon's Willamette Valley: Implications for restoration of winter waterbird habitat
Before agricultural expansion in the 19th century, river valleys of North America supported expanses of wetland habitat. In restoring these landscapes, it is important to understand their historical condition and biological function. Synthesizing historical primary accounts (from explorers, travelers, settlers, and farmers) with contemporary...
Taft, Oriane W.; Haig, Susan M.Parentage and relatedness in polyandrous comb-crested jacanas using ISSRs
In this article we present the first analysis of parentage and relatedness in a natural vertebrate population, using Intersimple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. Thus, 28 ISSR markers were used in a study of a sex-role reversed, simultaneously polyandrous shorebird from northeastern Australia, the comb-crested jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)....
Haig, Susan M.; Mace, Terrence R.; Mullins, Thomas D.The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
No abstract available.
Marshall, David B.; Hunter, Matthew G.; Contreras, Alan; Sanzenbacher, P.M.; Haig, Susan M.The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
No abstract available.
Marshall, David B.; Hunter, Matthew G.; Contreras, Alan; Sanzenbacher, P.M.; Haig, Susan M.The Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)
No abstract available.
Marshall, David B.; Hunter, Matthew G.; Contreras, Alan; Sanzenbacher, P.M.; Haig, Susan M.Distribution and abundance of snowy plovers in eastern North America, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas
Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) are small, partially migrant shorebirds that are broadly distributed across North America. Snowy Plover distribution west of the Rocky Mountains has been well described. However, distribution and abundance east of the Rocky Mountains has not received much attention despite current status and ESA listing...
Gorman, Leah; Haig, Susan M.Links between worlds: Unraveling migratory connectivity
Migration is the regular seasonal movement of animals from one place to another, often from a breeding site to a nonbreeding site and back. Because the act of migration makes it difficult to follow individuals and populations year round, our understanding of the ecology and evolution of migrating organisms, particularly birds, has been severely...
Webster, M.; Marra, P.P.; Haig, Susan M.; Bensch, S.; Holmes, Richard T.Regional fidelity and movement patterns of wintering killdeer in an agricultural landscape
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a common and widespread North American species for which there are few studies of residency patterns and movements. We quantified fidelity and movement patterns of 24 radio-tagged Killdeer in the Willamette Valley of Oregon during the winter of 1999-2000. Results from telemetry surveys and census efforts revealed...
Sanzenbacher, Peter M.; Haig, Susan M.