Colleen Handel, Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 90
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves
As part of the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program, biologists from the U. S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center conducted an inventory of birds in montane regions of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves during 2004–2006. We used a stratified random survey design to allocate samples by ecological subsection. To survey for birds, we conducted counts at 468
Authors
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Nesting ecology of boreal forest birds following a massive outbreak of spruce beetles
We studied breeding dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata), and spruce-nesting birds from 1997 to 1998 among forests with different levels of spruce (Picea spp.) mortality following an outbreak of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) in Alaska, USA. We identified species using live and beetle-killed spruce for nest sites and monitored nests to determine
Authors
Steven M. Matsuoka, Colleen M. Handel
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska
The Alaska Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey conducted an inventory of birds in montane areas of the four northern parks in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska. This effort represents the first comprehensive assessment of breeding range and habitat associations for the majority of avian species in the Arctic Network. Ultimately, these data provide a framework upon which to desi
Authors
T. Lee Tibbitts, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Shorebird avoidance of nearshore feeding and roosting areas at night correlates with presence of a nocturnal avian predator
We here report two anecdotes about avianinteractions relevant to the interpretation of differences in shorebirdhabitat use between day and night. Several studies have reported that shorebirds avoid feeding and roosting along nearshore areasat night yet commonly use these sites during daytime. This suggests that nighttime avoidance of nearshore places is a response to increased danger of predation.
Authors
Theunis Piersma, Robert E. Gill, Petra de Goeij, Anne Dekinga, Marnie Shepherd, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts
Use of buccal swabs for sampling DNA from nestling and adult birds
We evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of using swabs to collect buccal epithelial cells fromsmall (2‐ to 13‐g) birds as a source of DNA for genetic studies. We used commercially available buccal swab kits to collect samples from 42 adult and 39 nestling (4‐ to 8‐day‐old) black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and from6 4‐day‐old nestling boreal chickadees (P. hudsonica). We compared
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Lisa M. Pajot, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage
Response of predators to Western Sandpiper nest exclosures
In 2001, predator exclosures were used to protect nests of the Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) in western Alaska. During the exclosure experiment, nest contents in exclosures had significantly higher daily survival rates than control nests, however, late in the study predators began to cue in on exclosures and predate the nest contents. An Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) dug under one exclosure and
Authors
Amanda C. Niehaus, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Brian J. McCaffery
Recommendations for the use of mist nets for inventory and monitoring of bird populations
We provide recommendations on the best practices for mist netting for the purposes of monitoring population parameters such as abundance and demography. Studies should be carefully thought out before nets are set up, to ensure that sampling design and estimated sample size will allow study objectives to be met. Station location, number of nets, type of nets, net placement, and schedule of operatio
Authors
C. John Ralph, Erica H. Dunn, Will J. Peach, Colleen M. Handel
Additions to the avifauna of St Matthew Island, Bering Sea
St. Matthew Island (60°24' N, 172°42' W) is located in the north-central Bering Sea and is renowned for its distinctive Beringian flora and fauna. Because of its central position between the coasts of Russia and Alaska, St. Matthew Island and its nearby satellites, Hall and Pinnacle islands, support a mixture of Palearctic and Nearctic avifaunas. Of special interest to North American ornithologist
Authors
James A. Johnson, Steven M. Matsuoka, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Michael A. Litzow, Maksim N. Dementyev
Spatial variation in shorebird nest success: Implications for inference
Estimates of nest success are widely applied in order to evaluate a multitude of theoretical and practical issues. Frequently, however, researchers fail to limit their inferences to the appropriate spatial scale. We evaluated small-scale variation in nest success of Western Sandpipers Calidris mauri during a four-year study on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska. We use these data to demon
Authors
Brian J. McCaffery, Daniel R. Ruthrauff
Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala)
No abstract available
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Robert E. Gill
Densities of breeding birds and changes in vegetation in an alaskan boreal forest following a massive disturbance by spruce beetles
We examined bird and plant communities among forest stands with different levels of spruce mortality following a large outbreak of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) in the Copper River Basin, Alaska. Spruce beetles avoided stands with black spruce (Picea mariana) and selectively killed larger diameter white spruce (Picea glauca), thereby altering forest structure and increasing the
Authors
Steven M. Matsuoka, Colleen M. Handel, Daniel R. Ruthrauff
Mate fidelity and breeding site tenacity in a monogamous sandpiper, the black turnstone
We examined the relationship between mate fidelity and breeding site tenacity during a 5-year study of the black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala, a socially monogamous sandpiper breeding in subarctic Alaska. We tested the predictions of several hypotheses regarding the incidence of divorce and the benefits of fidelity to mate and breeding site. Interannual return rates to the breeding grounds (8
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Robert E. Gill
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Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 90
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves
As part of the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program, biologists from the U. S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center conducted an inventory of birds in montane regions of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves during 2004–2006. We used a stratified random survey design to allocate samples by ecological subsection. To survey for birds, we conducted counts at 468
Authors
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Nesting ecology of boreal forest birds following a massive outbreak of spruce beetles
We studied breeding dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata), and spruce-nesting birds from 1997 to 1998 among forests with different levels of spruce (Picea spp.) mortality following an outbreak of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) in Alaska, USA. We identified species using live and beetle-killed spruce for nest sites and monitored nests to determine
Authors
Steven M. Matsuoka, Colleen M. Handel
Inventory of montane-nesting birds in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska
The Alaska Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey conducted an inventory of birds in montane areas of the four northern parks in the Arctic Network of National Parks, Alaska. This effort represents the first comprehensive assessment of breeding range and habitat associations for the majority of avian species in the Arctic Network. Ultimately, these data provide a framework upon which to desi
Authors
T. Lee Tibbitts, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Shorebird avoidance of nearshore feeding and roosting areas at night correlates with presence of a nocturnal avian predator
We here report two anecdotes about avianinteractions relevant to the interpretation of differences in shorebirdhabitat use between day and night. Several studies have reported that shorebirds avoid feeding and roosting along nearshore areasat night yet commonly use these sites during daytime. This suggests that nighttime avoidance of nearshore places is a response to increased danger of predation.
Authors
Theunis Piersma, Robert E. Gill, Petra de Goeij, Anne Dekinga, Marnie Shepherd, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts
Use of buccal swabs for sampling DNA from nestling and adult birds
We evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of using swabs to collect buccal epithelial cells fromsmall (2‐ to 13‐g) birds as a source of DNA for genetic studies. We used commercially available buccal swab kits to collect samples from 42 adult and 39 nestling (4‐ to 8‐day‐old) black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and from6 4‐day‐old nestling boreal chickadees (P. hudsonica). We compared
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Lisa M. Pajot, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage
Response of predators to Western Sandpiper nest exclosures
In 2001, predator exclosures were used to protect nests of the Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) in western Alaska. During the exclosure experiment, nest contents in exclosures had significantly higher daily survival rates than control nests, however, late in the study predators began to cue in on exclosures and predate the nest contents. An Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) dug under one exclosure and
Authors
Amanda C. Niehaus, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Brian J. McCaffery
Recommendations for the use of mist nets for inventory and monitoring of bird populations
We provide recommendations on the best practices for mist netting for the purposes of monitoring population parameters such as abundance and demography. Studies should be carefully thought out before nets are set up, to ensure that sampling design and estimated sample size will allow study objectives to be met. Station location, number of nets, type of nets, net placement, and schedule of operatio
Authors
C. John Ralph, Erica H. Dunn, Will J. Peach, Colleen M. Handel
Additions to the avifauna of St Matthew Island, Bering Sea
St. Matthew Island (60°24' N, 172°42' W) is located in the north-central Bering Sea and is renowned for its distinctive Beringian flora and fauna. Because of its central position between the coasts of Russia and Alaska, St. Matthew Island and its nearby satellites, Hall and Pinnacle islands, support a mixture of Palearctic and Nearctic avifaunas. Of special interest to North American ornithologist
Authors
James A. Johnson, Steven M. Matsuoka, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Michael A. Litzow, Maksim N. Dementyev
Spatial variation in shorebird nest success: Implications for inference
Estimates of nest success are widely applied in order to evaluate a multitude of theoretical and practical issues. Frequently, however, researchers fail to limit their inferences to the appropriate spatial scale. We evaluated small-scale variation in nest success of Western Sandpipers Calidris mauri during a four-year study on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska. We use these data to demon
Authors
Brian J. McCaffery, Daniel R. Ruthrauff
Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala)
No abstract available
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Robert E. Gill
Densities of breeding birds and changes in vegetation in an alaskan boreal forest following a massive disturbance by spruce beetles
We examined bird and plant communities among forest stands with different levels of spruce mortality following a large outbreak of spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) in the Copper River Basin, Alaska. Spruce beetles avoided stands with black spruce (Picea mariana) and selectively killed larger diameter white spruce (Picea glauca), thereby altering forest structure and increasing the
Authors
Steven M. Matsuoka, Colleen M. Handel, Daniel R. Ruthrauff
Mate fidelity and breeding site tenacity in a monogamous sandpiper, the black turnstone
We examined the relationship between mate fidelity and breeding site tenacity during a 5-year study of the black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala, a socially monogamous sandpiper breeding in subarctic Alaska. We tested the predictions of several hypotheses regarding the incidence of divorce and the benefits of fidelity to mate and breeding site. Interannual return rates to the breeding grounds (8
Authors
Colleen M. Handel, Robert E. Gill
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