Megan Heft

Intro

I have had the unique opportunity to experience bird conservation from a multitude of different perspectives. My first experiences with birds were primarily through domestic poultry. As a child, I would spend months studying and showing poultry. After years of showing, I was invited by a poultry judge to be an apprentice and learn the Standard of Perfection for judging poultry. I followed him across the state of Michigan, observing and training at different fairs until eventually, I received a call to judge a fair on my own.

Gradually, my interests broadened to other bird species and I became involved in banding passerine at my local bird banding station, training birds of prey at the nature center, and birding across the state. During my time at Kalamazoo College, I was fortunate to work with an ornithologist and learn about stress in birds (he was quick to correct me on this of course as he considers himself to be a "physiologist who uses birds as a model"). As a biology requirement, students at Kalamazoo College had to complete a senior research thesis. I was lucky and amidst the chaos of COVID, I moved to Kentucky to work with this professor on a project examining social buffering and stress response in tree swallow nestlings. Through this research, I became aware of the fact that this field of study could become a careeer.

During my final year of undergraduate study, I continued with bird banding projects and started a birding club, to introduce students to bird conservation and ornithology. We collaborated with local groups and assisted with bird-window collision monitoring, to assess the impact of buildings on campus. As my final year of undergraduate studies year progressed, I was offered a directorship at the Kalamazoo Nature Center where I had been volunteering for the previous two years. At the same time, I also took on a field assistant position for an avian sound ecology study. Needless to say, this was a particularly busy time as I completed my degree.

Since completing my degree, I continued to work for the Kalamazoo Nature Center, improving welfare and standards for birds of prey in captivity. I have since moved on for graduate studies in the Burness Lab at Trent University in Canada, studying the effects of anthropogenic stressors on breeding birds. While I have moved, my passions have persisted and I continue to collaborate with many of the same groups that I had previously, as well as many new ones. Today, I continue working with birds in my capacity as a researcher, avian collection manager, poultry judge, and falconer. In this living portfolio, you can find further details on my current work.

To this day I continue judging at poultry shows, in hopes that some young showman may find the same passion as I once did.

graduate work

My research is focused on the impact of human activity on populations of wild birds. Humans have altered the environment drastically over the past 50 years and, as a result, wildlife populations have declined. While many studies focus on singular stressors, my interest is in the interactive effects of multiple stressors brought about by human activity. Below you can find a description of the specific research that my PhD encompasses. You can find our recent publication here.

Climate change and urbanization have drastically altered habitats to such a degree that natural biological cycles are altered. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is one product of urbanization that can affect both the behavior and physiology of wild animal populations. This disturbance can occur when light exposure affects the circadian rhythms of the body. Since circadian rhythms are generated by environmental cues (like light), the effects of ALAN are of concern when it comes to already stressed wildlife populations as they may struggle to adapt.

To better understand the effects of ALAN on wild bird populations my research focuses on the thermal responses of tree swallows to nighttime ALAN exposure. To test this, I installed small LED lights in bird boxes and measured activity level, core body temperature, along with endocrine parameters in blood samples. For a breeding population of birds, ALAN may have consequences for fitness and reproduction; further understanding of these consequences can better inform conservation practices in the future. See here for additional information about current work in the Burness Lab.

About

Introduction

My work encompasses a broad range of topics, but my central focus is bird conservation. In both my professional and personal ventures, birds have been a common connector. My passion is to contribute to current research on conservation. As populations continue to decline, I hope that I may play a role in the many efforts to sustain these populations for the generations to come. I welcome any inquiries, collaborations, or feedback on this work, so please feel free to reach out. Likewise, if you have found a dead bird, please reach out with details for the Trent Study Skin Collection. Below you can find my latest projects.

Avian Research

Avian research has been a passion of mine, and I have had the privilege to contribute to several long-term datasets through this work. I began bird banding at the Pitsfield and Kalamazoo Nature Center banding stations, and it is always a pleasure to return to those stations during my visits back to the States. All projects are conducted under proper federal and provincial permits.

Wildlife Rehabilitation

My involvement in wildlife rehabilitation started as an extension of my training as Animal Programming Director at Kalamazoo Nature Center but persisted well after. I trained at Wildside Rehabilitation Center where I learned how to triage a variety of wildlife. My primary focus however was raptors. During my time at Wildside, I assisted in the rehabilitation and release of hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls, including species at risk. While I have since moved out of state, I remain connected with local rehabbers and am happy to assist in the transfer of any injured wildlife to rehabilitation centers, to ensure they receive proper care.

Raptor Programming

Previously, I was the Animal Programming Director at Kalamazoo Nature Center. In this role, I designed and implemented new program material, training protocols, and aviary plans for Kalamazoo Nature Center's animal ambassadors.

In this role, I also updated bird of prey training to better align with industry standards, assisted with fundraising $80,000 toward enclosure renovations, and improved protocols to exceed DNR regulations and to support animal welfare in captivity. During this time, I also updated educational programs to better reflect conservation messages centered on themes of urbanization and climate change. Our team presented these programs throughout the community and partnered with organizations to connect underserved communities with nature. I also glove-trained birds of prey using reinforcement strategies and trained a team of 20 volunteers, educators, and staff on animal handling and medical care with better welfare practices in accordance with the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

During my time at Kalamazoo Nature Center, I developed material for the "Up in the Air: Birds Navigating the Anthropocene" exhibit. The exhibit showcased the most relevant aspects of avian conservation and collaborated with local experts in the field to support content development. The exhibit was accompanied by the annual Zugunruhe Festival, a tribute to bird migration, showcasing talks from experts in conservation.

Current Projects

Public Programs

Currently, I have resumed public workshops in collaboration with Ontario Field Ornithologists, Peterborough Field Naturalists, and Traill College, leading birding trips, avian study skin workshops, and beginning birding courses. My focus is to make science more accessible through outreach and conservation education. My hope is that my research will have a positive impact and better serve the community through accessible knowledge. You can find upcoming programs that I will be hosting through the OFO website, linked here, or feel free to contact me directly for program requests.

Window Collisions and Avian Study Skins

Window collisions remain as one of the top mortality factors for wild birds. Throughout my time in undergraduate studies, I focused on collaborating with window collision monitors, to evaluate local architecture. We were able to assess the effectiveness of common window deterrents and create programming to educate homeowners on bird-safe design. Further information can be found here or through one of the bird-safe workshops. I currently manage the Trent University Study Skin Collection and welcome any collision specimens as they can be used in education and research.

Each week, I lead interested students and community members in study skin preparation workshops. Workshops allow participants to gain skills in preparation, while contributing to the Trent Collection. The process requires patience and repetition along with a lot of mistakes. After the first 20 birds things start to get easier. On average, it takes 4-6 hours for beginners to complete a bird, but with time, preparation can take about an hour, depending on the size of the bird and the level of precision. While some prioritize turnover, we favor concision and quality, taking extra time to ensure the bird is prepared with greater care.

As the Trent Collection continues to grow, we welcome community involvement in study skin preparation. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out, with many opportunities to learn preparation techniques. Likewise, anyone who come across specimens are encouraged to reach out with acquisitions. If you have found a dead bird, note the location, date, and context surrounding the bird’s mortality (likely cause of death if apparent).

Poultry Shows

I continue to judge a local county fairs as a poultry judge. While I am not currently APA certified, I enjoy judging for youth and open shows and have experience judging meat, breed, and showmanship classes. My focus as a poultry breeder has been primarily Asiatic breeds. I have 10 years of experience working in the field and intend to eventually pursue APA certification when I complete my degree.

Contact

If you'd like to get in touch, feel free to email me.

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