Dr. Ann E. McKellar

Research and conservation of Migratory Birds and Species at Risk in prairie ecosystems.
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
Expertise
Affiliations
Adjunct Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Member: Society of Canadian Ornithologists