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USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Research Center
Methods Development to Reduce Bird Damage to Agriculture: Evaluating Methods at Multiple Biological Levels and Landscape Scales
Prospective Students:
The National Wildlife Research Center, North Dakota Field Station in cooperation with North Dakota State University investigates methods to manage birds in conflict with agriculture. If you are interested in graduate student position, please contact me via e-mail and include a letter of interest, CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE test scores, and contact information for three references.
For more information concerning graduate studies, see the following links:
North Dakota State University, Biological Sciences Department
Dr. Page Klug, Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist
USDA-APHIS-WS, National Wildlife Research Center, ND Field Station (Birds and Agriculture Project)
North Dakota State University (Affiliated Graduate Faculty, Adjunct Faculty in Biological Sciences)
Jessica Duttenhefner, MS
Wildlife Biologist/Lab Manager/Research Specialist
North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Current Graduate Students:
Taylor Aliferis, MS 2025 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Effects of drone size and speed of approach on individual red-winged blackbird and mixed-species blackbird flock behavioral responses
First position after graduation: TBD
Ester Morales-Vega, PhD Candidate in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Tim Greives)
Assessing biomarkers of trade-off effects in migration and reproduction life-history stages of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)
First position after graduation: TBD
Alexis Trester, MS Student in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Tim Greives)
Breeding range of blackbirds damaging sunflower and mechanisms driving transition to hyperphagia, increasing sunflower consumption
First position after graduation: TBD
Post-baccalaureate & Undergraduate Students (Current)
Jacie Osier, Post-baccalaureate scholar (2025-26) in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Research Project: Using multiple drones with various threatening stimuli to disperse blackbirds from sunflower
First position after fellowship: TBD
Noah Wilson, Post-baccalaureate scholar (2025-26) in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Research Project: Assessing auditory priming to increase risk perception of drones to mixed-species blackbird flocks damaging sunflower
First position after fellowship: TBD
Past Graduate Students: (with Dr. Page Klug as Project Leader from 2016 to present)
Jessica Kading (TWS Certified Associate Wildlife Biologist), MS 2025 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Effects of extended drone hazing and raptor interactions on blackbird behavior in North Dakota sunflower fields
First position after graduation: USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (South Dakota), Biologist
Jessica Duttenhefner, MS 2023 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Dual-purpose utility of drones: the hazing and monitoring of nuisance blackbirds damaging commercial sunflower
First position after graduation: North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences (Klug Lab), Research Specialist
Morgan Donaldson, MS 2024 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Multi-scale spatial evaluation of blackbird damage to sunflower and the relationship to producer damage estimates.
First position after graduation: USFWS Fergus Falls Wetland Management District (Minnesota), Wildlife Refuge Specialist
Mallory Gyovai White, MS 2021 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
First position after graduation: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Survey Coordinator
Brandon Kaiser, MS 2019 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Chemical repellents for reducing blackbird damage on mature sunflowers: the importance of plant structure and avian behavior in field applications.
First position after graduation: USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (Missouri), Biologist
Conor Egan, MS 2018 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Evaluating the potential utility of drones to deter birds from areas of human-wildlife conflict.
First position after graduation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Biologist
Maggie Maniago, MS Student in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Tim Greives)
Reproductive hormones and aggressive phenotypes related to migration and seasonal timing in female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus).
First position after graduation: Terra Global Capital, LLC Biodiversity Associate
Bonne (Clark) Di Giansante, MS 2020 in Biological Sciences at University of Oklahoma (advised by Dr. Jeffrey Kelly)
Population size, regional movements, and migration phenology of blackbird flocks quantified using weather radar data .
First position after graduation: Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (Texas), Ecologist
Michelle (Angelucci) Eshleman 2020, MS in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Tim Greives)
Effect of non-breeding habitat on annual timing and reproductive success in red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) .First position after graduation: Willistown Conservation Trust (Pennsylvania), Motus Avian Research Coordinator
Amanda Werrell, MS 2019 in Biological Sciences at College of William and Mary (advised by Dr. John Swaddle)
Managing hazardous species by manipulating the acoustic environment of target habitats: an application of the “Sonic Net”
First position after graduation: Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Staff Biologist
Jessica Mahoney, PhD 2017 in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Wendy Reed)
The applicability of physiology for conservation and management purposes: a case-study using the breeding season of the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).
First position after graduation: Ellsworth Community College (Iowa), Conservation Technology Faculty
Lucas Wandrie, in Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University (advised by Drs. Mark Clark and Wendy Reed)
Antipredator behavioral and physiological responses of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to unmanned aerial systems
First position: Westwood Professional Services (Minnesota), Wildlife Services Manager and Permitting Specialist
Undergraduate and Post-bacculaureate Students (Past):
Zoe Muccatira (with Janet), BS 2025 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Cassel Award Research Project: Discrimination and preferences of birds for sunflower differing in fatty acid composition
First position after graduation: University of Alaska at Anchorage, Dept. of Biology, MS Graduate Student
Emily Kotten, BS 2021 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Cassel Award Research Project: Birds and industrial hemp: the obstacle of bird damage or opportunities as a decoy crop.
First position after graduation: Aldevron (North Dakota)
Jessica Duttenhefner, BS 2020 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Evaluating the increase in extent of effectiveness of elevated propane cannon and the anti-predator response in nuisance birds.
First position after graduation: North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences (Klug Lab), MS Graduate Student
Koby Pearson-Bortle, Post-baccalaureate scholar (2024-25) in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Post-baccalaureate project: Auditory cues for the management of blackbird damage to crops
First position after graduation: North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences (Klug Lab), Post-baccalaureate scholar (2024-25)
Michelle Stagl, BS 2023 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)
Post-baccalaureate project: Blackbird density in cattail marshes estimated from signal intensity attained from acoustic recorders.
First position after graduation: North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences (Klug Lab), Post-baccalaureate scholar (2023-24)
Alexis Trester, BS 2023 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Tim Greives)
Post-baccalaureate project: Breeding range of blackbirds damaging sunflower and mechanisms driving transition to hyperphagia, increasing sunflower consumption
First position after graduation: North Dakota State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, NDSU post-baccalaureate scholar (2023-24) followed by NDSU MS graduate studentExtra Help:
Past Students: (with Dr. George Linz as Project Leader from 1989-2015)
Meagan Niner, MS 2014, North Dakota State University
The effectiveness of 9, 10 anthraquinone as a repellent to protect oilseed sunflower from blackbird depredationMatthew Strassburg, MS 2012, North Dakota State University
The evaluation of Christmas bird counts as an indicator of population trends and habitat selection in blackbirds and starlingsMegan Klosterman, MS 2011, North Dakota State University
Assessment of blackbird damage to sunflower and corn fields in the Prairie Pothole Region of North DakotaJamison Winter, MS 2010, North Dakota State University
Avian Use of Rice-Baited Trays Attached to Cages with Live Decoy Blackbirds in Central North DakotaMichelle (Petersen) Imes, MS 2009, North Dakota State University
Response-scale Approach to Modeling Breeding Blackbird Abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of North DakotaLaurel Moulton, MS 2009, North Dakota State University
The Behavior of Red-winged Blackbird Floater Males and Their Potential Contribution to ReproductionShannon Gaukler, PhD 2008, North Dakota State University
The Potential Role of Wintering European Starlings in the Dissemination of Pathogenic Bacteria to Livestock in Central KansasGreg Forcey, PhD 2006, North Dakota State University
Landscape-level influences on wetland birds in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States and CanadaHealth Hagy, MS 2006, North Dakota State University
Avian Use of USDA Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots Compared to Commercial Sunflower and Small Grain Crops in North DakotaRachel Bush, MS 2005, North Dakota State University
Effects of population density on reproduction and population status of the red-winged blackbird in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North DakotaAlegra Galle, MS 2005, North Dakota State University
Avian Use of Harvested Crop Fields in North Dakota during Spring MigrationScott T. Ralston, MS 2004, North Dakota State University
Quantification of Cattail Wetland Attributes in the Prairie Pothole Region of North DakotaBrent Ronning, MS 2004, North Dakota State University
Factors influencing blackbird damage to sunflowers in Stutsman County, North DakotaBryan Safratowich, MS 2004, North Dakota State University
Avian use of roadside habitat in the southern drift plains of North Dakota: implications for cattail managementDionn A. Schaaf, MS 2003, North Dakota State University
Avian Nontarget Use of Sunflower Fields during the FallMark W. Lutman, MS 2000, North Dakota State University
Location and habitat characteristics of late-summer blackbird roosts in the sunflower-growing region of North DakotaRichard S. Sawin, MS 1999, PhD 2002, North Dakota State University
Habitat characteristics of spring blackbird roosts in eastern South DakotaThe influence of male breeding experience on reproductive success in red-winged blackbirdsManya R. Harsch, MS 1999, North Dakota State University
Geographic Variation of Red-winged Blackbirds in the Prairie Pothole RegionRichard M. Kostecke, MS 1998, North Dakota State University
Evaluation of Risks of Secondary Poisoning to Birds and Mammals Following the Use of a PesticideGregory A. Knutson, MS 1998, North Dakota State University
Avian use of rice-baited and unbaited stubble fields during spring migration in South DakotaMary Jo Kenyan, MS 1996, North Dakota State University
Nontarget avian risks associated with the avicide DRC-1339Amy E. Barras, MS 1996, North Dakota State University
Evaluation of spring baiting with an avicide, DRC-1339, and habitat preferences of migratory blackbirdsCurtis P. McMurl, MS 1995, North Dakota State University
Response of Breeding Waterfowl and Broods to Herbicide-treated WetlandsJohn Baltezore, MS 1994, North Dakota State University
The economics of cattail management: assessing the trade-offsJohn D. Overland, MS 1994, North Dakota State University
Effects of Glyphosate-induced Changes in Wetland Vegetation on Aquatic Invertebrates and Water QualityDage C. Blixt, MS 1993, North Dakota State University
Effects of Glyphosate-induced Alterations on Birds Using WetlandsH. Jeffery Homan, MS 1992, PhD 1998, North Dakota State University
Nest-site Selection by Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) in Benson County, North DakotaEcology of Ring-necked Pheasants in Southeastern North DakotaCurtis O. Nelms. MS 1991, North Dakota State University
Population Estimates and Comparison of Sampling Methods of Breeding Blackbirds in North DakotaDaniel J. Twedt, PhD 1990, North Dakota State University
Diet, molt and geographic variation of yellow-headed blackbirds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalusMah Jeng, PhD 1988, North Dakota State University
Feeding behavior of red-winged blackbirds on sunflowers with different bird-resistant featuresGeorge M. Linz, PhD 1982, North Dakota State University
Molt, food habits, and brown-headed cowbird parasitism of red-winged blackbirds in Cass County, North DakotaGoogle Sites
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