Ph. D. Projects on Mottled Ducks

What:  Major telemetry project on Mottled Ducks in coastal Texas and Louisiana.  Basic goals are to measure annual survival rates segmented to biologically relevant periods and to determine movements and habitat use.  We also hope to measure breeding incidence and success.  We will mark birds in August (mostly flightless, large scale capture is possible) with internal radios with external antenna and then track for 8-14 months.  Project duration is three years.  This ain’t no Mallard, we know very little about this species.

Who:  Collaborative project between Texas A&M, LSU, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., Louisiana Dept. Wildlife & Fisheries, Gulf Coast Joint Venture, Duck Unlimited, USFWS, Delta Waterfowl and others.  You will know lots of folks when you finish.

Where:  One student at Texas A&M - Kingsville with Dr. Bart Ballard and one student at Louisiana State University with Dr. Frank Rohwer.

When:  Pilot project began in August 2006, but serious field work begins in June 2007.  Graduate projects can begin from January 2007 to June 2007.  Talk to us NOW!

Qualifications:  M.S. in waterfowl preferred.  Must be able to work in warm climates, handle flying in a light plane to radio track birds, and be able to manage several assistants and interact with private landowners.

Contact either or both:           

Dr. Bart Ballard, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 , Office: 361-593-3954, Cell: 361-522-3210, bart.ballard@tamuk.edu       
                               

Dr. Frank Rohwer, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, Office: 225-578-4146,  Cell: 701-471-6185,  frohwer@lsu.edu