Projects & People

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 is currently seeking graduate students to investigate 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

Environmental and Conservation Sciences Graduate Program

Current Graduate Students:


Taylor Aliferis, MS Student in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug) 


Effects of Drone Size and Speed of Approach on Blackbird Behavioral Responses


First position after graduation:  TBD

Jessica Kading, MS Student in Environmental and Conservation Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug) 


Importance of UAS hazing duration on blackbird dispersal from sunflower fields in North Dakota


First position after graduation:  TBD

Ester Morales-Vega, PhD Student 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

Post-baccalaureate & Undergraduate Students (Current)

Michelle Stagl, BS 2023 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)

Blackbird density in cattail marshes estimated from signal intensity attained from acoustic recorders.  



Alexis Trester, BS 2023 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 which increases sunflower consumption 

Past Graduate Students: (with Dr. Page Klug as Project Leader from 2016 to present)

Jessica Duttenhefner, MS Student 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 Student 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) 

Mitigating conflict between blackbirds and sunflower producers: perception and utility of novel UAS hazing methods.

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 Students (Past): 

Emily Kotten, BS 2021 in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University (advised by Dr. Page Klug)


 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

Extra 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 depredation

Matthew 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 starlings

Megan Klosterman, MS 2011, North Dakota State University

Assessment of blackbird damage to sunflower and corn fields in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota

Jamison Winter, MS 2010, North Dakota State University

Avian Use of Rice-Baited Trays Attached to Cages with Live Decoy Blackbirds in Central North Dakota

Michelle (Petersen) Imes, MS 2009, North Dakota State University

Response-scale Approach to Modeling Breeding Blackbird Abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota

Laurel Moulton, MS 2009, North Dakota State University

The Behavior of Red-winged Blackbird Floater Males and Their Potential Contribution to Reproduction

Shannon Gaukler, PhD 2008, North Dakota State University

The Potential Role of Wintering European Starlings in the Dissemination of Pathogenic Bacteria to Livestock in Central Kansas

Greg Forcey, PhD 2006, North Dakota State University

Landscape-level influences on wetland birds in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States and Canada

Health 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 Dakota

Rachel 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 Dakota

Alegra Galle, MS 2005, North Dakota State University

Avian Use of Harvested Crop Fields in North Dakota during Spring Migration

Scott T. Ralston, MS 2004, North Dakota State University

Quantification of Cattail Wetland Attributes in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota

Brent Ronning, MS 2004, North Dakota State University

Factors influencing blackbird damage to sunflowers in Stutsman County, North Dakota

Bryan Safratowich, MS 2004, North Dakota State University

Avian use of roadside habitat in the southern drift plains of North Dakota: implications for cattail management

Dionn A. Schaaf, MS 2003, North Dakota State University

Avian Nontarget Use of Sunflower Fields during the Fall

Mark W. Lutman, MS 2000, North Dakota State University

Location and habitat characteristics of late-summer blackbird roosts in the sunflower-growing region of North Dakota

Richard 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 blackbirds

Manya R. Harsch, MS 1999, North Dakota State University

Geographic Variation of Red-winged Blackbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region

Richard M. Kostecke, MS 1998, North Dakota State University

Evaluation of Risks of Secondary Poisoning to Birds and Mammals Following the Use of a Pesticide

Gregory A. Knutson, MS 1998, North Dakota State University

Avian use of rice-baited and unbaited stubble fields during spring migration in South Dakota

Mary Jo Kenyan, MS 1996, North Dakota State University 

Nontarget avian risks associated with the avicide DRC-1339

Amy E. Barras, MS 1996, North Dakota State University 

Evaluation of spring baiting with an avicide, DRC-1339, and habitat preferences of migratory blackbirds

Curtis P. McMurl, MS 1995, North Dakota State University

Response of Breeding Waterfowl and Broods to Herbicide-treated Wetlands

John Baltezore, MS 1994, North Dakota State University

The economics of cattail management: assessing the trade-offs

John D. Overland, MS 1994, North Dakota State University

Effects of Glyphosate-induced Changes in Wetland Vegetation on Aquatic Invertebrates and Water Quality

Dage C. Blixt, MS 1993, North Dakota State University

Effects of Glyphosate-induced Alterations on Birds Using Wetlands

H. 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 Dakota

Curtis O. Nelms. MS 1991, North Dakota State University

Population Estimates and Comparison of Sampling Methods of Breeding Blackbirds in North Dakota

Daniel J. Twedt, PhD 1990, North Dakota State University

Diet, molt and geographic variation of yellow-headed blackbirds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Mah Jeng, PhD 1988, North Dakota State University 

Feeding behavior of red-winged blackbirds on sunflowers with different bird-resistant features

George M. Linz, PhD 1982, North Dakota State University 

Molt, food habits, and brown-headed cowbird parasitism of red-winged blackbirds in Cass County, North Dakota