The talented @SSarika29 from @EESWindsor used her advanced mapping skills to publish a journal article with @DMennill @iBioUWindsor on Savannah Sparrows. Read about her academic adventures.

My first paper is published! "Effects of age, breeding strategy, population density, and number of neighbors on territory size and shape in Passerculus sandwichensis." Out now in Ornithology. Our team studied territoriality in an 11-year dataset. Read it:  https://t.co/onaNTw8x6J

Today I had the honor to give a Seminar for the Integrative Biology Department @uofg Thank you @Alex_Smith_Ants for the invitation! The seminar was recorded, so stay tune for the video! 🐦🎶🇨🇷🇨🇦

Our new paper: “Cumulative cultural evolution and mechanisms for cultural selection in wild bird songs”. Open access in @NatureComms: https://t.co/y7rocGCr4Z Led by Heather Williams with her students @WilliamsCollege & our collaborative research team. Here’s the story... [1/8]

(6/6) I thank my supervisor @Dmennill and collaborators @SDobney2,@RyanNorrisSci @steph_doucet and @Newman_lab of @UWindsor and @UGuelph. I thank @NSERC_CRSNG and @UWindsor for financial support and @BSSKentIsland for logistical support. Thank you @AnimBehSociety! #AnimBehav2023

(5/6) Our study reveals territory size to be a dynamic trait affected by population- and individual-level factors. Investigations of other variables will help us better understand Savannah Sparrow population dynamics and inform studies of territorial species. #AnimBehav2023

(4/6) In addition, we found territories to be smaller during high population density years. This result may reflect increased conspecific competition. Surprisingly, at a smaller scale, there was no correlation between territory size and the number of neighbours. #AnimBehav2023

(3/6) We investigated three features: male age, population density, and number of neighbours. We discovered that older males occupy larger territories. This result may arise if males have greater experience defending territories from prior reproductive seasons. #AnimBehav2023

(2/6) We explored the territories of Savannah Sparrows. My collaborators have mapped sparrows’ male territories on @BSSKentIsland for more than a decade. With GIS, I calculated the area of 485 territories from 2011-2022 and found high territory size variation. #AnimBehav2023

(1/6) The size of an animal’s territory may influence both survival and reproductive success. What controls territory size? Let’s find out! #AnimBehav2023

1. Can we train a neural network to tell apart individual birds from their song? Can that algorithm pick up on cultural phenomena such as microdialects? That’s what we’re investigating by using the Savannah Sparrows of Kent Island, New Brunswick, as an example! #AnimBehav2023

When are there too many in the neighbourhood? The effects of neighbours on vocal behaviour in birds Nearby animals modify the social context of communication. When density is high, animals may change their behaviour. We explore the effect of density on bird song #AnimBehav2023

Our whole lab is very thankful to the @SCO_SOC for organizing this conference, focused on early-career researchers! I'm proud of @CamilleRstj @SDobney2 @SSarika29 & @Nati_SanchezU for their contributions to the Society of Canadian Ornithologists' conference this weekend!

In her first-ever conference talk, Sarika presented "How does density, age, and number of neighbours influence territory size in Savannah Sparrows?" at today's @SCO_SOC conference. This talk summarized NSERC USRA research Sarika conducted in summer. Very proud of you @SSarika29!

Join the Society of Canadian Ornithologists' conference online this weekend! 🇨🇦🐦 Catch 4 talks from our lab: Sat 3pm EDT: @CamilleRstj & @SDobney2 on sparrow song Sun 3pm EDT: @SSarika29 & @Nati_SanchezU on sparrow and wren behaviour Open to all: https://t.co/DiMtgWXm7y