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About Abby Patterson
I've always been passionate about birds and conservation biology, but after joining the EcoMorph lab and taking an avian biology course with Dr. Sustaita my interest in avian conservation grew! In the lab, I've contributed primarily to research on the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, but I've also assisted with the salt marsh harvest mouse project. I’ve recently completed an avian rehabilitation and conservation education internship at the Raptor Education Group Inc. in Wisconsin, caring for sick and injured local avifauna and taking all that I've learned about birds and their conservation and presenting this information during tours and programs! Please see the Loggerhead Shrike research page for an overview and below for the details of my undergraduate and on-going research.
Contact: patte073@csusm.edu
Click here for my CV
Abby's Research
My research in the EcoMorph lab revolves around the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike and how they capture their prey. By looking at micro-CT scans of their prey and observing videos of prey capture, I hope to contribute to the understanding of how these amazing birds dispatch relatively large vertebrate prey. As a first pass at this I am analyzing the CT scans and building virtual 3D models (see a lizard on the left and a mouse on the right, below) to begin quantifying the damages incurred by their prey during attack sequences.
Abby in Action...
Providing enrichment to Theo, a Bald Eagle who can no longer fly…
Presenting research at the CSUSM 2024 Student Poster Showcase…
Enlightening the public about shrikes at SuperSTEM Saturday 2026, Cal State San Marcos
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