Songbird Behavior and Conservation in the Anthropocene [Paperback]

Learned and fixed behaviors underlie many of the patterns we observe in songbirds. But the environmental context in which these patterns occur is changing quickly, often to the detriment of the individual and species. The goal of this book is to weave concepts of behavior more tightly into our conservation strategies.

Darren S. Proppe is a wildlife biologist with a background in research, teaching, and songbird management. His research is focused on exploring the impacts of noise on songbird behavior, communication, and distribution; investigating the effects of development and urbanization on songbird behavior; and designing novel techniques for managing songbird populations and communities in a changing world. Although his studies focus on songbirds, Dr. Proppe is broadly interested in the intersection of conservation and behavior, especially in relation to anthropogenic change. He seeks to develop out-of-the-box solutions for today's management challenges.

Learned and fixed behaviors underlie many of the patterns we observe in songbirds. But the environmental context in which these patterns occur is changing quickly, often to the detriment of the individual and species. The goal of this book is to weave concepts of behavior more tightly into our conservation strategies. Each chapter describes the current understanding of behavior in relation to a particular songbird life history trait. The authors then evaluate challenges that songbirds face in the Anthropocene, and explore the role of behavior in addressing these challenges. The future is uncertain for songbirds, but broadening our management toolkit will increase the potential for success.

1. Static Organisms in a Changing System?  2. Habitat Selection in Human-Dominated Landscapes  3. Migration in the Anthropocene  4. Conspecific and Heterospecific Interactions  5. Sexual SelS?