McGill University
Candidat B.Sc.
superviseur(e): Kyle Elliott
Début: 2020-09-02
Fin: 2021-04-30

Projet

Analyzing purple martin habitat, foraging range, and diet through biologging and DNA barcoding
Purple martins are part of a large group of birds with a currently declining population known as aerial insectivores. Analyzing purple martin habitat, foraging range, and diet is essential in filling the knowledge gaps to understand why this species is currently declining at such an alarming rate. Tracking their populations with GPS biologgers and identify their prey species with DNA barcoding can allow us to link their habitat associations with diet. The objectives of this study are to use GPS biologgers to calculate foraging range and identify habitat use of purple martins, as well as quantify their diet through DNA fecal analysis.