T.J. Zenzal, Ph.D.
TJ Zenzal is a Research Ecologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
My research interests include the movement and behavioral ecology of wildlife, particularly birds, with an emphasis on conservation. My research integrates traditional field methods (e.g., bird banding, surveys) with technological advancements (e.g., radio telemetry, weather surveillance radar, isotopes, RFID) to better understand the ecology of avian species as they face severe weather events, habitat/land use change, climate change, and the migratory journey. My dissertation work focused on the stopover ecology of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in coastal Alabama. My post-doctoral work focused on 1) the integration of weather surveillance radar and traditional field methods to determine how landbirds use stopover habitat as well as react to hurricanes along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast during migration, and 2) the use of wetland habitat created via drainage water management by shorebirds in the mid-West.
Education
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi
B.S., Environmental Science, University of Scranton
Background
2019-Present: Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (formerly National Wetland Research Center), Lafayette, LA, USA
2017-2019: Research Scientist, School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
2017: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Avian Ecology, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2016: Visiting Scholar, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
2016-2017: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radar Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
2009-2016: Ph.D. Biological Sciences; NSF GK-12 Teaching Fellow/Graduate Teaching Assistant/Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
2008-2009: Various avian field technician positions
2005-2008: B.S. Environmental Science, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA
Science and Products
GoMAMN Strategic Bird Monitoring Guidelines: Landbirds
Migratory hummingbirds make their own rules: The decision to resume migration along a barrier
Songbirds are resilient to hurricane disturbed habitats during spring migration
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
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
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
GoMAMN Strategic Bird Monitoring Guidelines: Landbirds
Migratory hummingbirds make their own rules: The decision to resume migration along a barrier
Songbirds are resilient to hurricane disturbed habitats during spring migration
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
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
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.