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Research and Data Analysis
Pacific Rim Conservation biologists have undertaken numerous research projects over the past 20 years involving a wide range of avian species, including forest birds, seabirds, and wetland birds. Research has focused on a variety of topics, such as ecology, demography, behavior, population genetics, at-sea tracking, and natural history. Specific research projects can be designed to suit client needs and address any ornithological issue.
Current Research Projects
- Pacific Rim Conservation was contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to coordinate the Nihoa Millerbird translocation project, which created a second population of this endangered passerine on Laysan in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Millerbird formerly occurred on Laysan but was extirpated in the early 1900s when introduced rabbits destroyed all vegetation on the island. The project involved coordinating numerous partners, planning trip logistics, helping to develop translocation protocols and monitoring methods, and capturing the birds for transport from Nihoa to Laysan in September 2011. All 24 of the Millerbirds translocated survived the trip to Laysan and have been attempting to nest in their new home.
 Investigation of threats to the Oahu Elepaio, including nest predation by alien rats and diseases carried by alien mosquitoes, and evaluation of the efficacy of rodent control programs from 1995-2008.
PDF Report 63.
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 Analysis of mark-recapture data from a population of Laysan Albatross at Kaena Point, Oahu, to examine adult survival, juvenile survival, and recruitment, in order to enhance knowledge about this species’ demography and improve monitoring methods. PDF Report 75
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 Satellite and data logging telemetry to track at-sea habitat use and foraging locations of Laysan Albatross, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and Red-footed and Brown Boobies on Oahu and Lehua Islet, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of California Santa Cruz, Hawaii Pacific University, and Oregon State University. |
Above - At-Sea Albatross Distribution from tracking Studies. (See also Report #67)
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 Effects of habitat disturbance and mosquito-borne diseases on demography of the Hawaii Elepaio
Report 14, Report 32, Report 60
- Measuring plumage color and body size in the Hawaii Elepaio to investigate the environmental causes of morphological variation among bird populations and function of intra-specific plumage variation
Report 17, Report 28, Report 76
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- PRC is currently conducting ecological monitoring at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge within a proposed pest-proof fence site for Newell’s Shearwaters in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Bird Conservancy. This monitoring will determine the species present (plant and animal; native and non-native) and their seasonal abundance in order to determine how to most effectively remove the predators and how native species respond to their removal. The monitoring will also fill knowledge gaps that exist about the biology of Newell’s Shearwaters, including breeding phenology and morphometrics of chicks, which are needed to assist in translocation planning.
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