Migratory birds & ticks

Check out publications from this research in Ecohealth and Journal of Medical Entomology.

Songbirds as dispersers of ticks and pathogens

Avian and Habitat Characteristics Influence Tick Infestation Among Birds in Illinois

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Birds & Ticks

This research was part of a collaborative project investigating the spread of the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Lyme bacteria via migrating birds. My research focused specifically on the characteristics of birds that influence their infestation by ticks.

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Migration Ecology

I am also broadly interested in the migration ecology of songbirds. Part of my thesis work wass focused on the quality of remnant forest patches as stopover habitat for migrating birds.

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Christine Parker

Research scientist
Illinois Natural History Survey

Distance education adjunct faculty
Unity College