Professor of Wildlife Conservation@ Humboldt State University. My research approach combines theory, experimentation, and long-term field studies, which often includes citizen science volunteers. I strive to convey the realization that evolutionary processes acting on individuals drive the distribution and size of wildlife populations. I am interested in describing how animals are distributed in space and time, whether through the need of acquiring resources or to avoid predators, humans and competitors and why some individuals are faithful to mates and territories while others readily take advantage of alternative options. This pursuit includes assessment of the evolution and maintenance of individual attributes like health, stature, experience, personality traits, and secondary sexual characteristics (crests, color patches, etc).
Long-term studies on River Otters, Steller's Jays, Aleutian Geese, Barnacle Geese, Black Brant Geese, and Hawaiian Geese. Have studied 22 species of birds, publishing 100+ scientific papers, 5 books, and 22 chapters in books.
https://wildlife.humboldt.edu/people/jeff-black