Dr. Ann E. McKellar

Image Ann E. McKellar
Research Scientist

Research and conservation of Migratory Birds and Species at Risk in prairie ecosystems.

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Current research and/or projects

Support science-based decision making through applied ecological research into the causes of population change for priority Migratory Birds and Species at Risk in agricultural landscapes and other prairie ecosystems.

Research and/or project statements

  • Understanding causes of Migratory Bird population declines across the annual cycle using tracking technologies (e.g., Motus Wildlife Tracking System, light-level geolocators, satellite telemetry, stable isotopes)
  • Research into novel tools (e.g., unoccupied aerial vehicles) for improving the accuracy and efficiency of waterbird population monitoring
  • Quantifying population structure of declining species to inform species status assessments
  • Providing scientific advice and data to support the identification of terrestrial protected areas for Migratory Birds and Species at Risk

Professional activities / interests

  • Supervisor/co-supervisor of graduate and undergraduate students at University of Saskatchewan, Thompson Rivers University, University of Waterloo
  • Canadian representative: Midcontinent Shorebird Conservation Initiative Hemispheric Council
  • Member of the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture Science Committee

Education and awards

Ph.D., Biology, Queen’s University, 2012

M.Sc., Biology, McGill University, 2008

B.Sc. (Hons.), Biology, Queen’s University, 2006

International experience and/or work

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Missouri – Columbia, USA, 2012-2013: Quantifying foraging habitat suitability for an endangered bird, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Key publications

Malone K, Webb E, Mengel D, Kearns L, Matteson S, McKellar AE. 2021. Secretive marsh bird habitat associations in the Mississippi Flyway: a meta-analysis. Avian Ecology & Conservation 16: 12. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01924-160212

McKellar AE, Simpson SE, Wilson S. 2021. Abundance, population trends, and negative associations with lake water levels for six colonial waterbird species over five decades in southern Manitoba. Avian Ecology & Conservation 16: 7. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01789-160107

McKellar AE, Shephard NG, Chabot D. 2021. Dual visible-thermal camera approach facilitates drone surveys of colonial marshbirds. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation 7: 214-226. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.183

Howell JE, McKellar AE, Espie RHM, Morrissey CA. 2020. Predictable shorebird staging behaviour can inform collision risks and mitigation of wind energy developments. Ibis 162: 535-547. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12771

McKellar AE, Aubry Y, Drever MC, Friis CA, Gratto-Trevor CL, Paquet J, Pekarik C, Smith PA. 2020. Potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites in Canada: 2020 update. Wader Study 127: 102-112. https://doi.org/10.18194/ws.00190

Duijns S, Anderson AM, Aubry Y, Dey A, Flemming SA, Francis CM, Friis C, Gratto-Trevor C, Hamilton D, Holberton R, Kock S, McKellar AE, Mizrahi D, Morrissey CA, Neima S, Newstead D, Niles L, Nol E, Paquet J, Rausch J, Tudor L, Turcotte Y, Smith PA. 2019. Long-distance migratory shorebirds travel faster in spring, but fly faster in autumn. Scientific Reports 9: 9420. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45862-0

Hope DD, Pekarik C, Drever MC, Smith PA, Gratto-Trevor C, Paquet J, Aubry Y, Donaldson G, Friis C, Gurney K, Rausch J, McKellar AE, Andres B. 2019. Shorebirds of conservation concern in Canada – 2019. Wader Study 126: 88-100. https://doi.org/10.18194/ws.00148

Howell JE, McKellar AE, Espie RHM, Morrissey CA. 2019. Spring shorebird migration chronology and stopover duration at an important staging site in the North American Central Flyway. Waterbirds 42: 8-21. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.042.0102

McKellar AE, Nych LA, Bidwell MT. 2019. Distribution and abundance of marsh-nesting colonial waterbirds in Prairie Canada. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131: 583-597. https://doi.org/10.1676/18-180

Smith EL, Reudink MW, Marra PP, McKellar AE, Van Wilgenburg SL. 2019. Breeding origins and migratory connectivity of a declining aerial insectivore at a northern roost site. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 121: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/duz034

Bracey A, Lisovski S, Moore D, McKellar A, Craig E, Matteson S, Strand F, Costa J, Pekarik C, Curtis P, Niemi G, Cuthbert F. 2018. Migratory routes and wintering locations of declining inland North American Common Terns. The Auk: Ornithological Advances 135: 385-399. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-17-210.1

Contact

Research facility

Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4
Canada

Expertise

Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Biodiversity›Agricultural impacts
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Biodiversity›Human impacts
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Ecosystems & Habitats›Agricultural impacts
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Ecosystems & Habitats›Grasslands
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Ecosystems & Habitats›Wetlands
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Wildlife Populations›Migratory birds
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Wildlife Populations›Population tracking and analysis
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Wildlife Populations›Shorebirds
Environment›Nature & Wildlife›Wildlife Populations›Waterbirds

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, University of Saskatchewan

Member: Society of Canadian Ornithologists

Language

English