Contact Information
1102 S. Goodwin
Urbana 61801
Biography
Dr. Ward focuses on species of conservation concern and has developed novel approaches to species conservation. He uses telemetry to radio monitor the behavior and migration of birds. He works with a broad spectrum of people from farmers in central Illinois to the U.S. Army to the Cuban and Mexican governments. I study the ecology and behavior of birds often with the overarching goal of conservation
Research Interests
We study various aspects of avian ecology and behavior often with an overarching goal of improving conservation efforts. We work in a variety of habitats, and while most of our research is conducted in the Midwest, we also work in Mexico and select other locations. Much of the research we conduct involves understanding the habitat selection process of birds. In addition to understanding the habitat selection process we investigate the demographics and population dynamics of several species. We also are using some new technologies (e.g., automated telemetry systems) to improve our ability to track individual birds and acoustically monitor bird communities.
Education
Ph.D. University of Illinois (2004)
M.S. University of Illinois (2000)
B.S. Truman State University (1995)
Courses Taught
- NRES 348 Fish and Wildlife Ecology
- NRES 101 - Wildlife Conservation in the 21st Century
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Principal Research Scientist, Ornithology, Illinois Natural History Survey
Professor, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Stuart L. and Nancy J. Levenick Chair in Sustainability, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Recent Publications
Brewer, D. E., Gehring, T. M., Ward, M. P., Dunton, E. M., & Pierce, R. (2024). Experimental evidence suggests that broadcasting rail calls overnight can influence broad-scale site selection by migrating rails. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 19(1), Article 18. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02649-190118
Di Giovanni, A. J., Jones, T. M., Benson, T. J., & Ward, M. P. (2024). Embryonic heart rate is higher in species that experience greater nest predation risk during incubation. Ecology and Evolution, 14(6), Article e11460. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11460
Jones, T. M., Chiavacci, S. J., Benson, T. J., & Ward, M. P. (2024). Nesting and post-fledging predation risk influence diel patterns of songbird fledging. Ibis, 166(2), 411-423. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13119
Joues, T. M., Cooper, N. W., Haradon, H. A., Brunner, A. R., Dossman, B. C., Ward, M. P., Sillett, T. S., & Kaiser, S. A. (2024). Considerations for radio-transmitter specifications on songbirds: color and antenna length matter too. Journal of Field Ornithology, 95(1), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.5751/JFO-00426-950107
Metz, E., Pease, B. S., Benson, T. J., Beveroth, T. A., Esker, T., Sierzega, K., & Ward, M. P. (2024). Long-term occurrence of Chuck-will's-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis) beyond contemporary IUCN range. Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 136(3), 364-369. https://doi.org/10.1676/23-00071