James C. Mouton
– he/him – I am a behavioral and population ecologist with broad interests in applying basic theory, empirical data, and quantitative approaches to understand population dynamics in changing environments and the evolution of behavior and life history strategies. My research is grounded in basic theory and seeks to advance our understanding of population ecology and life history evolution in a general way, while also providing actionable information for conservation and management. Much of my research focuses on birds, but I am interested in processes that shape populations regardless of taxonomy.
Maddie Ybarra
– she/her – Maddie is exploring various facets of Island Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma insularis) physiology. Her research includes analyzing their diet using DNA metabarcoding, investigating the influence of bill size on thermoregulation, and examining hormonal variations associated with different breeding statuses in adult birds. She has a keen interest in understanding how environments shape the lives of birds and how we can enhance management strategies to support their habitats more effectively.
Greyson Poutas
– she/her – Greyson has a broad interest in the behavioral ecology of migratory songbirds, aiming to understand how consistent individual differences in behavior remain stable across various contexts and life stages. Her research involves examining whether risk-taking behavior in female Black-throated Blue warblers (Setophaga caerulescens) generalizes across distinct threats of danger and if the link between aggression and movement remains stable enough to predict behavior during migration in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla).
Natalie Miller – she/her – Natalie is examining the factors behind the survival and movement of fledgling Chestnut-collared Longspurs (Calcarius ornatus) in north-eastern Montana. In particular she is using the MOTUS wildlife tracking network to determine the effect of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns on fledgling longspur survival. In addition to her work in Montana she is also investigating what factors effect the spring migration routes of Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus).
Lab Alumni
Ayden Van Fossen – he/him – Adyen is an undergraduate researcher working to analyze recordings of begging House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) nestlings in order to understand how nest predation risk can influence the volume, frequency, and bandwidth of begging calls.