Robb Diehl, Ph.D.
My research explores the behavior and ecology of migratory birds and seeks to inform on their conservation and management.
Research Interest
Migratory birds matter. They are a remarkable part of our cultural, historical, and natural heritage; they provide ecosystem services including pest control and pollination; they are a source of recreation for tens of millions of people who feed, watch, and landscape their yards for birds; and they help support a vigorous wildlife watching industry.
My work follows three broad themes: 1) understanding the behavior, ecology, and conservation of migrating birds, 2) determining how flying animals may be influenced by anthropogenic activity, especially in relation to energy development, and 3) advancing the remote sensing technologies biologists use to study birds and other wildlife.
Education and Certifications
PhD and MS, Ecology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL
BS, Wildlife Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Science and Products
Songbirds are resilient to hurricane disturbed habitats during spring migration
Extending the habitat concept to the airspace
Evaluating the effectiveness of wildlife detection and observation technologies at a solar power tower facility
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
Community for Data Integration 2014 annual report
Spring resource phenology and timing of songbird migration across the Gulf of Mexico
Migratory songbirds are advancing their arrival to breeding areas in response to climatic warming at temperate latitudes. Less is understood about the impacts of climate changes outside the breeding period. Every spring, millions of migrating songbirds that overwinter in the Caribbean and Central and South America stop to rest and refuel in the first available habitats after crossing the Gulf of M
Behavior of bats at wind turbines
Wind turbines are causing unprecedented numbers of bat fatalities. Many fatalities involve tree-roosting bats, but reasons for this higher susceptibility remain unknown. To better understand behaviors associated with risk, we monitored bats at three experimentally manipulated wind turbines in Indiana, United States, from July 29 to October 1, 2012, using thermal cameras and other methods. We obser
Bird mortality during nocturnal migration over Lake Michigan: A case study
Factors influencing the movement biology of migrant songbirds confronted with an ecological barrier
The airspace is habitat
Partly cloudy with a chance of migration: Weather, radars, and aeroecology
Potential use of weather radar to study movements of wintering waterfowl
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Songbirds are resilient to hurricane disturbed habitats during spring migration
Extending the habitat concept to the airspace
Evaluating the effectiveness of wildlife detection and observation technologies at a solar power tower facility
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
Community for Data Integration 2014 annual report
Spring resource phenology and timing of songbird migration across the Gulf of Mexico
Migratory songbirds are advancing their arrival to breeding areas in response to climatic warming at temperate latitudes. Less is understood about the impacts of climate changes outside the breeding period. Every spring, millions of migrating songbirds that overwinter in the Caribbean and Central and South America stop to rest and refuel in the first available habitats after crossing the Gulf of M
Behavior of bats at wind turbines
Wind turbines are causing unprecedented numbers of bat fatalities. Many fatalities involve tree-roosting bats, but reasons for this higher susceptibility remain unknown. To better understand behaviors associated with risk, we monitored bats at three experimentally manipulated wind turbines in Indiana, United States, from July 29 to October 1, 2012, using thermal cameras and other methods. We obser
Bird mortality during nocturnal migration over Lake Michigan: A case study
Factors influencing the movement biology of migrant songbirds confronted with an ecological barrier
The airspace is habitat
Partly cloudy with a chance of migration: Weather, radars, and aeroecology
Potential use of weather radar to study movements of wintering waterfowl
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.