Elizabeth Morata, 2018

Thesis:

Seasonal home range variation and spatial ecology of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in coastal Humboldt County, CA

GIS Specialist III, Division of Wildlife, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Kachina Rowland, 2020

Thesis:

Rowland, KL 2020. The Rattle Call : a Female-Specific Vocalization in Steller’s Jays . Humboldt State University

Trinity Tippin, 2017

Thesis:

Propensity of predator mimicry in wild Steller's jays

Wildlife Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Jeff Zirpoli, 2011

Thesis:

Parasites and plumage: an experimental field test of the parasite-mediated handicap hypothesis

Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Consultant

Emily Bjerre, 2007

Thesis:

Optimal grit : investigating grit acquisition and site use by black brant

Wildlife Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Gina Culver, 2025

Thesis:

North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) seasonal prey selection of waterbirds based on availability and vulnerability

This study will build on previous and ongoing research aimed at understanding prey selection of waterbirds by river otters and patch level predation pressure within wetland marshes on the shores of Humboldt Bay, California.Based on the seasonal abundance hypothesis we will investigate whether otters are taking certain types of birds in relation to their seasonal availability in the environment. We will do so by comparing capture success determined from identification of feathers in scat samples with numbers and types of birds present in the study area. Based on the ease of capture hypothesis we propose to measure vulnerability by understanding the occurrence of antipredator tactics in terms avoiding predation by river otters in the primary targeted species reported by Cosby and Szykman Gunther (2014): American coot, bufflehead, and dabbling ducks, (Anas and Spatula sp.). We will test whether otters capture and consume birds according to birds’ vulnerability using factors like readiness to take flight (flight-initiation distance), use of cover, group defense (clustering), or alarm calling. In addition to indicating how many and what type of birds are taken by river otters, we will describe the birds’ response to predation events in terms of patch use and recovery time after predation events. Primary consumers, including predators in a wetland ecosystem play an important role in total wetland functionality (Moore and Schmitz 2021). Our goal is to understand more about predator-prey dynamics between river otters and waterbirds in wetland systems.

Began Fall 2022.

Kelly Commons, 2017

Thesis:

Mobbing behavior in wild Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

Wildlife Biologist

Susannah Ferson, 2008

Thesis:

Manipulation of food quality and quantity by black brant geese

Division Director, Natural Resources Services (NRS), Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), Eureka, CA

Dominic Bachman, 2008

Thesis:

Managing grassland pastures at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge for Aleutian geese

Aquatic Health Coordinator, High Desert Partnership; Previously, Wildlife Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service (Refuges)

Derek Harvey, 2015

Thesis:

Innovative problem solving in wild Steller's jays

Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, Medford, OR