It's been over two years since my last update, and understandably, a lot has happened in that time! I've moved on (and geographically, also) from Denali to start a PhD program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where I'm working with Dr. Pete Marra. I'm excited to report that I'll be working on one of North America's most overlooked and also most recognizable birds - the American Robin! The robin may be the early bird that catches the worm, the archetypal backyard bird, and all that jazz - but it turns out there's still a lot to learn from this common bird. Beyond the facts that robins seem to be doing perfectly fine (as in, they are not declining or exist on any conservation watch lists), may be one of the most widely distributed songbirds on the North American continent, AND they seem to be expanding their range, both northward and southward - they also are an enigma when it comes to their migratory behavior. Hopefully, my PhD will change that. Throughout the next 5 or so years, I'll be working with researchers all over the country to uncover and illuminate the black box that is American Robin migration. Keep your eyes on this page, my social media, the Marra website, and elsewhere to keep posted on what I learn! For a teaser on what I've been working on, check out this article recently published in Audubon magazine!
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About meI am an Avian Ecologist dazzled by the finer, feathered things in life. I study the dispersal, migration ecology, and behavior of birds. Archives
September 2020
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