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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>FYI – IBETers – please ask questions
directly to me (which is not to suggest I have answers </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Wingdings;color:black'>J</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> ) or via BCNnet.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Randi Doeker<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Chicago</span></font></st1:place></st1:City><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color="#003f77" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003F77;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color="#003f77" face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#003F77;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color="#003f77" face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#003F77;font-weight:bold'>Research
Projects At Millikin Studying Bird Behavior<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Friday, January 12, 2007<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>DECATUR</span></font></st1:City><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ill.</st1:State>—<st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Millikin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> students are gaining important
scientific research experience in a group of research projects directed by
Millikin Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. David Horn. The projects hope to
discover ways to reduce the number of bird deaths from collisions with human
structures and determine backyard bird preferences for bird seed and bird
feeders.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Dr.
Horn and Millikin students are entering their second year in two studies
gathering data on window-bird collisions. One study is examining collisions on
Millikin’s campus while the second study is collecting data from around
the country. In fall 2006, Horn and a Millikin student also began work on a
joint project to examine bird collisions at television towers in <st1:place
w:st="on">Central Illinois</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>WINDOW-BIRD COLLISIONS AT <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">MILLIKIN</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">UNIVERSITY</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>During
the 2005 fall semester, Horn and his students began touring Millikin’s
campus looking for dead birds. The students gathered samples and identified
buildings, or parts of buildings that had a high number of window-bird
collisions. The work was done by upper level science students as well as
students in biology courses for non-majors that allowed the non-major students
to also experience a taste of scientific research. Previous scientific studies
have estimated that between 100 million and one billion birds die annually due
to collisions with windows. That number works out to approximately one to 10
birds killed per building. Horn and the students set out to verify those
statistics and find ways to reduce the frequency of the collisions.
"Collisions of birds with windows is a significant cause of avian
mortality," states Horn. "By learning more about collisions at
Millikin, we can develop solutions that may be applicable at other locations as
well." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>After
one year of study on the Millikin campus, the students found 87 dead birds of
over 30 species around nine different buildings on campus. The average Millikin
building had from nine to 11 bird deaths placing them slightly above the
estimated range. The Millikin students discovered that the birds most
susceptible to window-bird collision deaths were warblers. These birds are not
normally seen at Millikin, but migrate through the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Decatur</st1:place></st1:City> area. Twenty-five warblers were found
on campus with the next highest family, thrushes, having 12 deaths from
collisions on campus. The students discovered the worst time of year for
collisions is September and October during the peak of fall migration. The
second highest was in May, which is the peak of spring migration. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>By
the end of this summer the students will be done with data collection and will
begin to formulate solutions. This base data is key to allow the students to
make sound scientific conclusions and develop recommendations for ways to
reduce bird window collisions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>PROJECT PREVENT COLLISION<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In
the fall of 2005, Horn and Millikin students also began work on a national
project to gather data on window bird collisions from participants across the
country. Horn and Millikin students developed an informational web site and
created a survey participants use to report bird-window collisions at their
homes. The project is being funded by Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>This
past fall, Horn used students from his first year seminar course to help
recruit study participants. The students first learned about the collision
study being done on the Millikin campus. Then to complete the service learning
component of the course, the students had to recruit and train 12 people to
take part in the survey. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>To
date, over 200 surveys have been returned with more expected to be completed.
Most of surveys have come from <st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Indiana</st1:State> and <st1:State w:st="on">Missouri</st1:State>,
but the study includes participants from as far away as <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State>
and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vermont</st1:place></st1:State>.
The project is collecting data on collisions at residential structures. The
students hope to learn about homes with and without window-bird collisions.
Horn adds, "We need to know what architectural designs work and which do
not. We have a sample of where collisions happen, but we also need to know
where it doesn’t happen." <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Once
the data collection is complete, a team of Millikin students will summarize the
findings and develop recommendations for homeowners and home builders with
steps that can be taken to prevent the collisions. "PROJECT PREVENT
COLLISION is the most comprehensive survey of how architectural design and features
of the yard influence collision frequency," said Horn. "By
understanding what characteristics of homes are more likely to lead to
collisions, architects and landscape planners can design homes that are bird
friendly. Ultimately, I hope this research being conducted by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Millikin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
students and I will lead to greater protection for a very important group of
animals."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>For
more information on the project visit their website at
http://www.wildbird.com/content/project_prevent_collision.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>BIRD-TOWER COLLSION STUDY<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Horn
and Millikin senior Biology major Jennifer Partlow of <st1:City w:st="on">Springfield</st1:City>
are joining forces with Dr. Angelo Capparella from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Illinois</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in a study of
the impact of television station towers on migratory birds. The study involved
visiting television towers in <st1:place w:st="on">Central Illinois</st1:place>
on a regular basis during the fall. The regular visits allowed the research
team to correlate bird kills with varying weather conditions and
characteristics of towers. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In
the fall of 2006, the team found 332 dead birds from 48 different species. The
majority of dead birds were warblers with 241, accounting for 73 percent of the
deaths.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Horn
said the researchers believe that bad weather plays a factor in the collisions.
Bad weather forces the birds to fly at lower levels and flashing lights on the
towers may confuse the birds’ navigational instincts. Horn believes that
the disoriented birds often collide with the tower’s guy wires and not
the tower itself.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Thanks
to a grant from the Decatur Audubon Society, the tower study has been expanded
to examine additional migratory seasons during both the spring and fall. The
researchers hope to determine if some towers are more susceptible, and to find
solutions for the problem through improved tower design. "Thousands of additional
cell, radio and television towers are expected to be constructed in the coming
years," said Horn. As these new towers are being built, it will be
important to design towers that minimize the risk to migratory birds."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>National Bird Feed Preference Study in Full Swing at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Millikin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>DECATUR</span></font></st1:City><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ill.</st1:State>—PROJECT
WILDBIRD, a three-year, one million dollar study looking at bird feed and bird
feeder preference originating from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Millikin</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is entering
its second year. In addition to providing the students with a unique hands-on
research opportunity, the project hopes to provide important information to
make the bird feeding experience more enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Millikin’s
Dr. David Horn, Assistant Professor of Biology, and several Millikin students
are coordinating the study. The study involves participants from across the <st1:country-region
w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> and is being funded by the
Wild Bird Feeding Industry (WBFI) Research Foundation. Millikin students are
conducting research, ensuring that other participants are following protocols
and assisting participants with bird identification and other questions about
the project. Two Millikin students are playing major roles in PROJECT WILDBIRD.
Stacey Shonkwiler of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Decatur</st1:place></st1:City>,
a senior Biology (Secondary Teaching) major, is serving as the project’s
assistant coordinator and monitors four bird feeders outside Blackburn Hall.
The web programmer for the study is Ted Quanstrom of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Bloomington</st1:place></st1:City>, a senior Computer Science major.
PROJECT WILDBIRD has been an awesome experience because I have had the
opportunity to be active as a participant and a member of the team," said
Shonkwiler. "I know how much work it takes to keep this project going by
participants and team members."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>After
the first year of the study, Millikin students have worked with participants
from coast to coast. Participants have reported 36,910 five-minute bird
observations recording 54,244 bird visits by 59 different species. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
WBFI reports that a 2001 <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region> government survey showed that 54
million Americans spend over $3 billion annually feeding wild birds and other
wildlife. Horn hopes the study will help make bird watching and feeding more
enjoyable. According to Horn, "We are very pleased with the level of
participation we have received in for year one. As the study enters years two
and three, we are in need of even more participants so that we can learn more
about the behavior of backyard birds." At the end of the three-year study,
researchers hope to provide recommendations on bird feed and feeder preference
by geographical area of the country and by season.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>After
year one, Horn and his student researchers have found that the black oil
sunflower appears to be the most popular bird seed followed by sunflower chips,
nyjer and white proso millet.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Another
finding of the study goes against the common practice of many people who enjoy
feeding birds. Horn says that many people don’t feed birds during the
summer months thinking that the birds don’t need the feed and won’t
visit the feeders. He adds that early data from the study shows that the number
of birds visiting feeders during the spring and summer are equivalent, but
different species visit feeders in the spring compared to the summer. Thus the
seed and feeder attractive to birds in the spring may be different than those
in summer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>PROJECT
WILDBIRD is still looking for more participants who must be able to identify
the bird species coming to their yard, and be willing to make a three to five
hour per week commitment to the study. The study provides participants with
free seed, feeders, poles and squirrel baffles with the participants getting to
keep the equipment after their one-year of participation. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>"Participation
in PROJECT WILDBIRD has been a valuable educational experience for everyone
involved," said Horn. "Participants are learning more about how to do
science and the behavior of birds in their yard. I can’t wait to see what
years two and three of the study bring and look forward to working with the
students of Millikin."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>People
interested in becoming participants in PROJECT WILDBIRD can sign up, download
the research protocol, and enter their data online at <a
href="http://www.projectwildbird.org/">www.projectwildbird.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>For more information, please
contact:<br>
Mr. Bryan Marshall<br>
Director of Media Relations<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Millikin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
1184 <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">W. Main St</st1:address></st1:Street>.<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Decatur</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">IL</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">62522</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
<a href="mailto:bmarshall@millikin.edu">bmarshall@millikin.edu</a> <br>
217-420-6636 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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