As species respond to changing climate, distributions and abundances may shift and alter species interactions. Hybridization, a relatively widespread phenomenon becoming more common with climate change, can have beneficial and detrimental effects on population growth rates and genetic integrity. Beneficial effects due to the introduction of advanta...
Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus; hereafter, plovers) and interior least terns (Sternula antillarum athalassos; hereafter, terns) are two avian species that nest along the Lower Platte River system (LPRS) in Nebraska. In the LPRS, river sandbars provide natural nesting habitat, but off-river sites provide substantial nesting habitat especially wh...
In the field of comparative cognition, auditory perception has received less study than its visual counterpart, yet it confers important survival benefits. Accurate responses to auditory stimuli enable animals to react to or interact with the stimulus. Vocal communication between and within species allows appropriate responses to predators, enemies...
This doctoral dissertation focuses on genomic approaches to study evolution and adaptation in birds. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and analytical tools are making the production of genomic data more accessible than ever before. As such, the accumulation of genomic data is occurring at an ever-increasing pace. This g...
Sexual selection can directly contribute to reproductive isolation and is an important mechanism that can lead to speciation. Lek-mating is one of the most extreme forms of sexual selection, but surprisingly does not seem to preclude occasional hybridization in nature. However, hybridization among lekking species may still be trivial if selection a...
As in the last few fall seasons, late departure dates continue to increase in number. This is often attributed to a warming climate but may also result from increased observer activity and usage of eBird. Late dates are probably the most important aspect of this report, most prominent the record late fall dates for Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Sander...
Eminent radiologist Benjamin H. Orndoff, eulogizing an esteemed colleague some months after his death, noted that Isador Simon Trostler (1869–1957) “as a lad . . . became interested in ornithology and herpetology, sending accounts of his observations and explorations to natural history magazines up to the late [18]90s.” Understandably more interest...
Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) is a rare to uncommon migrant in eastern and central Nebraska. It is possibly a regular breeder locally at sites containing sycamores in several southeastern Nebraska counties bordering the Missouri River. There are few Nebraska reports after July, with more reports November–January than August–October. ...
The 2023 NOU Fall Field Days were held in Holdrege on September 22–24, with approximately 45 in attendance. The programs were held at the Rodeway Inn. The meeting was planned by Robin Harding, Jan Johnson, and Ruthie Stearns. Field trips were led by Robin Harding, Paul Dunbar, and William Flack to numerous locations including Johnson Lake SRA, Elwo...
