Terry Chesser, Ph.D.
Terry is a Research Zoologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
Having previously held positions with the American Museum of Natural History (New York) and the Australian National Wildlife Collection (Canberra), as well as an adjunct position with the US National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian). Terry's research focuses on the systematics, diversity, conservation, and management of birds.
He uses genetic and genomic techniques to study the systematics, diversity, conservation, and management of birds. His contributions to avian taxonomy and conservation also include chairmanship of the AOS Committee on Classification and Nomenclature (North America), which provides a standardized avian taxonomy for use by public agencies and private individuals and organizations.
Current projects include studies of:
- genomic variation in Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) and Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni) on the Channel Islands, as part of a larger project informing management of Channel Islands National Park and private lands on multiple scientific issues
- genomic variation in the Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) and Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris), two critically endangered birds endemic to Kauai, so that genetically diverse, viable captive breeding programs can be established
- population structure and migration ecology of two Pacific populations of the endangered Red Knot (Calidris canutus), as well as population structure more broadly in the Americas
- genetics of Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Sanderling (Calidris alba), and Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) at Delaware Bay, three species reliant on migration stopovers there
- genomics of US and Caribbean populations of the endangered Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), to assess current and past gene flow between these populations
- phylogenetic relationships and species status of Procellariiformes seabirds, which include the albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, many of which are endangered or otherwise of conservation interest
- genetic variation and phylogeography of selected seabirds (non-Procellariiformes) breeding in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, to determine the conservation status of geographically isolated populations and understand factors promoting genetic isolation in marine environments
- phylogenetic relationships among all species of birds (the OpenWings project), to provide the foundation for future classification and ecological and evolutionary comparative research on birds
- a comprehensive revision of the subspecific taxonomy of the birds of North America, for use by policy makers and wildlife managers as well as by scientists and NGOs
- the systematics, biogeography, and evolution of hyper-diverse suboscine birds, to understand the systematics and taxonomy of the group and the processes that contributed to its radiation in the Americas
- comparative genetic, vocal, and morphological variation in Neotropical antbirds, to understand patterns of speciation and determine species diversity in cryptic groups of birds
- effect of anthropogenic noise on
Science and Products
Population Ecology of Red Knots (C. c. roselaari) in the Pacific-Americas Flyway
The Red Knot ( Calidris canutus roselaari) is long-distance migrant in the Pacific-Americas Flyway. The subspecies relies on a small number of stopover sites between Mexico and Alaska during migration. Extreme site fidelity and small population size make it vulnerable to environmental impacts and the effects of climate change.
Bird Collections
The collection of North American birds housed in the National Museum of Natural History is one of outstanding quality. It totals about 370,000 specimens, including approximately 222,000 skins, 31,000 skeletons, 13,000 fluid-preserved, and about 26,500 egg sets and nests. Of the 3,949 specimens in the type collection, 2,120 specimens are holotypes of North American taxa. A major portion of the...
Population Genetics and Emergency Management of Two Kauai Island Endangered Species
The Challenge: The Akeke’e (Loxops caeruleirostris) and the Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), two species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, are critically endangered bird species endemic to high elevation ohia forests on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Both species have suffered severe population declines and range contractions in recent decades. Akeke’e are currently thought to number ca. 950 wild individuals...
Analyzing the Gut Microbiome of Urban Canada Geese
The Challenge: The Canada Goose Branta canadensis was historically a highly migratory species. However, this species has recently established resident populations in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas in many parts of the U.S., including the Chesapeake Bay region. The enormous success of these populations has led to consideration of this species as a nuisance, largely due to its excessive...
Species Identification in the White-headed Gull Complex
The Challenge: The Federal Aviation Administration has long relied on the expertise provided by the Smithsonian Feather Identification Lab for identification of bird remains recovered from bird-aircraft (birdstrike) collisions. Recently, these identifications are increasingly reliant on data from mitochondrial DNA. While generally successful in delimiting species, mitochondrial DNA is not...
Biodiversity of Birds of the Americas
The Challenge: Accurate taxonomic delineation of species and subspecies provides the biological and legal foundation for effective conservation action, whether by domestic resource management agencies or by other countries throughout the hemisphere that may be involved through international treaties or common conservation threats. Although birds are among the most well-known groups of organisms...
Assisting Ecosystem Management on the Channel Islands
The Challenge: The Channel Islands, sometimes called “The Galapagos of North America,” consist of 8 islands off the coast of southern California. The islands are managed by a variety of agencies, including the National Park Service, the Nature Conservancy, and the US Navy, as well as private owners, and they have had a wide variety of uses through time, from occupancy by Native American hunter...
Standardizing the Classification of North American Birds for Research and Conservation
The Challenge: Federal and state government agencies, NGOs, scientists, and authors of field guides and other literature need a standardized classification of birds to provide the taxonomic and nomenclatural foundation for bird research, conservation, and education in North America. These public agencies, private individuals, and organizations rely on the latest developments in systematics...
Science and Products
Population Ecology of Red Knots (C. c. roselaari) in the Pacific-Americas Flyway
The Red Knot ( Calidris canutus roselaari) is long-distance migrant in the Pacific-Americas Flyway. The subspecies relies on a small number of stopover sites between Mexico and Alaska during migration. Extreme site fidelity and small population size make it vulnerable to environmental impacts and the effects of climate change.
Bird Collections
The collection of North American birds housed in the National Museum of Natural History is one of outstanding quality. It totals about 370,000 specimens, including approximately 222,000 skins, 31,000 skeletons, 13,000 fluid-preserved, and about 26,500 egg sets and nests. Of the 3,949 specimens in the type collection, 2,120 specimens are holotypes of North American taxa. A major portion of the...
Population Genetics and Emergency Management of Two Kauai Island Endangered Species
The Challenge: The Akeke’e (Loxops caeruleirostris) and the Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), two species of Hawaiian honeycreeper, are critically endangered bird species endemic to high elevation ohia forests on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Both species have suffered severe population declines and range contractions in recent decades. Akeke’e are currently thought to number ca. 950 wild individuals...
Analyzing the Gut Microbiome of Urban Canada Geese
The Challenge: The Canada Goose Branta canadensis was historically a highly migratory species. However, this species has recently established resident populations in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas in many parts of the U.S., including the Chesapeake Bay region. The enormous success of these populations has led to consideration of this species as a nuisance, largely due to its excessive...
Species Identification in the White-headed Gull Complex
The Challenge: The Federal Aviation Administration has long relied on the expertise provided by the Smithsonian Feather Identification Lab for identification of bird remains recovered from bird-aircraft (birdstrike) collisions. Recently, these identifications are increasingly reliant on data from mitochondrial DNA. While generally successful in delimiting species, mitochondrial DNA is not...
Biodiversity of Birds of the Americas
The Challenge: Accurate taxonomic delineation of species and subspecies provides the biological and legal foundation for effective conservation action, whether by domestic resource management agencies or by other countries throughout the hemisphere that may be involved through international treaties or common conservation threats. Although birds are among the most well-known groups of organisms...
Assisting Ecosystem Management on the Channel Islands
The Challenge: The Channel Islands, sometimes called “The Galapagos of North America,” consist of 8 islands off the coast of southern California. The islands are managed by a variety of agencies, including the National Park Service, the Nature Conservancy, and the US Navy, as well as private owners, and they have had a wide variety of uses through time, from occupancy by Native American hunter...
Standardizing the Classification of North American Birds for Research and Conservation
The Challenge: Federal and state government agencies, NGOs, scientists, and authors of field guides and other literature need a standardized classification of birds to provide the taxonomic and nomenclatural foundation for bird research, conservation, and education in North America. These public agencies, private individuals, and organizations rely on the latest developments in systematics...
*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