Colin Studds

Advisors: Drs. David Inouye & Peter Marra

Previous Education:
A.B. English and American Literature Brown University
M.S. Environmental Science University of Rhode Island

Research Interests:
I study the ecology of migratory birds during their tropical non-breeding season. I’m interested in how habitat occupancy affects individual performance and annual survival rates.

Location of Research:
Font Hill Nature Reserve, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, West Indies

Publications:
Reudink MW, Studds CE, Kyser KT, Marra PP and Ratcliffe LM. 2008. Plumage brightness predicts nonbreeding season territory quality in a long-distance migratory songbird. Journal of Avian Biology, in press.

Studds CE, Kyser KT, and Marra PP. 2008. Natal dispersal driven by environmental conditions interacting across the annual cycle of migratory songbird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 105:2929-2933.

Studds, C.E. and P.P. Marra. 2007. Linking fluctuations in rainfall to nonbreeding
season performance in a long-distance migratory bird, Setophaga ruticilla. Climate Research 35: 115-122.

Studds, C.E. and P.P. Marra. 2005. Non-breeding habitat occupancy and population processes: an upgrade experiment with a migratory bird. Ecology 86:2380-2385.

Deluca, W.V., C.E. Studds, L.L. Rockwood, and P.P. Marra. 2004. Influence of land use on the integrity of marsh bird communities of the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Wetlands 24:837-847.

Funding Sources:
2006 Predoctoral Fellowship, Smithsonian Institution
2005 Graduate Student Fellowship, Smithsonian Institution
2005 Paul A. Stewart Award, Wilson Ornithological Society
2005 Young Scholar Award, Cosmos Club Foundation

Awards:
2003 Council Award for best student oral presentation, American Ornithologists Union