Name: Luke DeGroote
Date: 03/12/2026
Time (EST/EDT): 01:00 pm
Location: Appalachian Lab room 109
Remote Access: email mees@umd.edu

Committee Chair: Emily Cohen
Committee Members: Dr. David Nelson, Director and Professor, UMCES Appalachian Lab Dr. David Secor, Professor, UMCES Chesapeake Biological Lab Dr. Scott Loss, Professor, Oklahoma State University
Dean’s Representative: Dr. Jennifer M. Mullinax, Associate Professor, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Maryland College Park

Title: Understanding and Protecting Migrating Landbirds: Migration Strategies, and Effective Collision Reducing Glass

Abstract: North American bird populations have declined by more than 30%, and migration exposes individuals to substantial natural and anthropogenic risks, but we lack a clear understanding of the en route ecological requirements that shape migration strategies and how bird‑friendly glass can most effectively reduce collisions. Therefore, my dissertation research aims to understand how diet, microhabitat selection, and habitat availability affect migration strategy, and to evaluate how glass pattern design and optical properties can mitigate bird–window collisions. My results demonstrate that species relying on scarce habitats adopt distinct migration strategies and narrower ecological niches during stopover. Experimental tests of bird–glass interactions reveal clear rules for designing bird‑safe windows, emphasizing the broad utility of high‑contrast markers and the importance of glass and landscape context for the efficacy of low‑contrast markers. Together, these results offer actionable guidance for conserving migrants across both natural landscapes and built environments.