Colleen M. Handel

U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

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Robert E. Gill

U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Caroline Van Hemert

U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Daniel R. Ruthrauff

United States Geological Survey

Steven M. Matsuoka

U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

John P. Dumbacher

California Academy of Sciences

Jorge Riquelme Rivera

Universidad Nacional de La Plata

John Klicka

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Jennifer C. Owen

Michigan State University

Gérald Mayr

Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt/M

Catherine A. Lindell

Michigan State University

Cooperative Institutions

United States Geological Survey

University of Alaska Fairbanks

U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Cornell University

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center

University of Minnesota

University of California, Berkeley

Ecological Society of America

University of St Andrews

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Structure of breeding calls in three closely related bird species (Calidris Merrem, 1804; Scolopacidae)

Canadian Journal of Zoology (2023)

Edward H. Miller Pavel S. Tomkovich Vladimir Arkhipov Colleen M. Handel

We studied calls of three sandpiper species to document species’ similarities and differences. We hypothesized that functionally different calls would differ in degree of divergence. We studied two nuptial calls (complex “Song” and rhythmically repeated aerial call, RRC) of males, and a general-purpose call (“alarm” trill, AT) given by parents of both sexes in the presence of humans and other potential predators, in great knot, Calidris tenuirostris (Horsfeld, 1821); surfbird, Calidris virgata (Gmelin, 1789); and red knot, Calidris canutus (Linnaeus, 1758). Calls diverged unevenly across species—RRCs and Song diverged the most and ATs the least. Vocalizations of great knot and surfbird were most similar to one another, in agreement with a recently proposed phylogeny. Despite species differences in single acoustic traits, calls were evolutionarily conservative at higher structural levels, such as rhythmic temporal delivery of RRCs and harmonic structure (e.g., the fundamental frequency was suppressed in some call types). Some acoustic qualities that differed across species were similar across call types within species (e.g., tonality in red knot calls). Trait similarity across different calls suggests that a species’ calls cannot evolve independently of one another: common mechanisms of vocal production across different calls may impede differentiation within a species’ repertoire.

Calidris

Human echolocation

Plumage

10.1139/cjz-2022-0211

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Erratum to: The Pacific as the world’s greatest theater of bird migration: Extreme flights spark questions about physiological capabilities, behavior, and the evolution of migratory pathways

Ornithology (2022)

Theunis Piersma Robert E. Gill Daniel R. Ruthrauff Christopher G. Guglielmo Jesse R. Conklin

SPARK (programming language)

Bird migration

10.1093/ornithology/ukac012

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First Record of the Common Cuckoo from Mainland North America

Ornithological Applications (1980)

Robert E. Gill Colleen M. Handel

Journal Article First Record of the Common Cuckoo from Mainland North America Get access Robert Gill, Jr., Robert Gill, Jr. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Colleen M. Handel Colleen M. Handel U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 82, Issue 4, 1 November 1980, Page 472, https://doi.org/10.2307/1367581 Published: 01 November 1980 Article history Accepted: 14 July 1980 Published: 01 November 1980

Mainland

Cuckoo

10.2307/1367581

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Citations (1)

Projected changes in wildlife habitats in Arctic natural areas of northwest Alaska

Climatic Change (2015)

Bruce G. Marcot M. Torre Jorgenson James P. Lawler Colleen M. Handel Anthony R. DeGange

Ecotype

10.1007/s10584-015-1354-x

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Citations (31)

Nesting Ecology of Townsend's Warblers in Relation to Habitat Characteristics in a Mature Boreal Forest

Ornithological Applications (1997)

Steven M. Matsuoka Colleen M. Handel Daniel D. Roby

We investigated the nesting ecology of Townsend's Warblers (Dendroica townsendi) from 1993-1995 in an unfragmented boreal forest along the lower slopes of the Chugach Mountains in southcentral Alaska. We examined habitat characteristics of nest sites in relation to factors influencing reproductive success. Almost all territory-holding males (98%, n = 40) were successful in acquiring mates. Nest success was 54% (n = 24 nests), with nest survivorship greater during incubation (87%) than during the nestling period (62%). Most nesting failure (80%) was attributable to predation, which occurred primarily during the nestling period. Fifty-five percent of nests containing nestlings were infested with the larvae of bird blow-flies (Protocalliphora braueri and P. spenceri), obligatory bloodfeeding parasites. The combined effects of Protocalliphora infestation and inclement weather apparently resulted in nestling mortality in 4 of the 24 nests. Nests that escaped predation were placed in white spruce with larger diameter than those lost to predation; nests that escaped blow-fly parasitism were located higher in nest trees and in areas with lower densities of woody shrubs than those that were infested. The availability of potential nest sites with these key features may be important in determining reproductive success in Townsend's Warblers.

Emberizidae

10.2307/1369933

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Microanatomy of passerine hard‐cornified tissues: Beak and claw structure of the black‐capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Journal of Morphology (2011)

Caroline Van Hemert Colleen M. Handel John E. Blake Rhonda Swor Todd M. O’Hara

Abstract The microanatomy of healthy beaks and claws in passerine birds has not been well described in the literature, despite the importance of these structures in avian life. Histological processing of hard‐cornified tissues is notoriously challenging and only a few reports on effective techniques have been published. An emerging epizootic of beak deformities among wild birds in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest region of North America recently highlighted the need for additional baseline information about avian hard‐cornified structures. In this study, we examine the beak and claw of the Black‐capped Chickadee ( Poecile atricapillus ), a common North American passerine that is affected by what has been described as “avian keratin disorder.” We use light and scanning electron microscopy and high‐magnification radiography to document the healthy microanatomy of these tissues and identify features of functional importance. We also describe detailed methods for histological processing of avian hard‐cornified structures and discuss the utility of special stains. Results from this study will assist in future research on the functional anatomy and pathology of hard‐cornified structures and will provide a necessary reference for ongoing investigations of avian keratin disorder in Black‐capped Chickadees and other wild passerine species. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Beak

Claw

10.1002/jmor.11023

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Citations (32)

Stable isotopes identify dietary changes associated with beak deformities in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)

Ornithology (2012)

Caroline Van Hemert Colleen M. Handel Diane M. O’Brien

A large number of beak deformities of unknown etiology have recently been reported in Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and other resident avian species in Alaska. We investigated the potential association between diet and beak deformities. We analyzed carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in whole blood of Black-capped Chickadees captured at three semiurban sites in south-central Alaska. For dietary analysis, we included natural foods (arthropods, seeds, and berries) and anthropogenic items commonly provided in bird feeders (sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and suet). Blood samples from individuals with beak deformities exhibited lower δ15N values and more variable δ13C values than birds with normal beaks. Isotopic values of blood also differed by location for both carbon and nitrogen, but we did not detect a difference in natural dietary items across the three sites. Contributions of individual diet items differed between birds with and without beak deformities, a pattern that likely reflected reduced function of the beak. Affected birds generally consumed fewer arthropods and sunflower seeds and more peanut butter and natural seeds and berries. Although some individuals with beak deformities relied heavily on feeder foods, we did not find evidence of an anthropogenic food source shared by all affected birds. In addition, dietary differences were most pronounced for moderately to severely affected birds, which suggests that these differences are more likely to be a consequence than a cause of deformities.

Beak

10.1525/auk.2012.12037

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Citations (19)

Memorial to a Black Turnstone: An examplar of breeding and wintering site fidelity

Robert E. Gill Colleen M. Handel Leonard A. Shelton

Source

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Citations (4)

Melanin-Based Color of Plumage: Role of Condition and of Feathers' Microstructure

Integrative and Comparative Biology (2014)

Liliana D’Alba Caroline Van Hemert Karen A. Spencer Britt J. Heidinger Lisa Gill

Whether melanin-based colors honestly signal a bird's condition during the growth of feathers is controversial, and it is unclear if, or how, the physiological processes underlying melanogenesis or the role of the microstructure of feathers in imparting structural color to feathers may be adversely affected by condition. Here, we report results from two experiments designed to measure the effect of condition on expression of eumelanic and pheomelanic coloration in black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), respectively. In chickadees, we compared feathers of birds affected and unaffected by avian keratin disorder, whereas in zebra finches we compared feathers of controls with feathers of those subjected to an unpredictable food supply during development. In both cases, we found that control birds had brighter feathers (higher total reflectance) and more barbules, but similar densities of melanosomes. In addition, the microstructure of the feathers explained variation in color more strongly than did melanosome density. Together, these results suggest that melanin-based coloration may in part be condition-dependent, but that this may be driven by changes in keratin and feather development, rather than melanogenesis itself. Researchers should be cautious when assigning variation in melanin-based color to melanin alone and microstructure of the feather should be taken into account.

Plumage

Melanosome

Taeniopygia

Structural Coloration

10.1093/icb/icu094

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Citations (47)

Cover

Ornithology (2016)

Scott M. Lanyon Steven R. Beissinger Andrew W. Jones Rebecca T. Kimball Márk E. Hauber

10.1642/auk.2016.133.1.cover

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