Staff Member
Kristen Dillon
PhD
Email: dillon@uidaho.edu
Biography
I am a native of New England, but have spent the last 13 years wandering the western US and tend to call the desert southwest my home. I'm an avian ecologist interested in conservation, life history evolution, and behavioral ecology.. I work in Courtney Conway's lab. Broadly, my research interests are in avian ecology, conservation, behavioral ecology, and life history evolution. My research centers on explaining the causes of elevational variation in avian life history traits, with a specific focus on red-faced warblers breeding in the Santa Catalina Mountains, AZ. I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Ecology at Prescott College, and my Master's in Wildlife Conservation & Management at the University of Arizona. When not chasing birds, I am an avid backpacker, climber, biker and shoestring traveler. I'm also a strong believer in big skies, tall trees, good books, and strong tea.
| Research Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Dillon, K.G., and C.J. Conway. 2018. Nest predation risk explains variation in avian clutch size. Behavioral Ecology 29:301-311. doi:10.1093/beheco/arx130 | Download | April 2018 |
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2021. Elevational pattern in avian species richness replicated throughout North America is driven by habitat heterogeneity, temperature, and productivity. Ecology and Evolution 11:5985-5997. doi: 10.1002/ece3.7341 | May 2021 |
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2015. Elevational gradient in clutch size of red-faced warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology 86:163–172. doi: 10.1111/jofo.12099 | June 2015 |
| Project | Completion Date |
|---|---|
| Causes of elevational patterns in avian species richness | December 2019 |
| Presentations | Presentation Date |
|---|---|
| Dillon, K.G., and C. J. Conway. 2015. Using GAP data to explain elevational patterns of avian species richness in the US. GAP Partnership Projects - Status Update Meeting. Webinar. 27 Oct 2015. | October 2015 |
| Dillon, K., and C. J. Conway. 2014. Birds breeding across elevation gradients; how birds adjust their reproductive effort in response to variation in spring temperatures and timing of breeding. Special Symposium entitled Alpine Ornithology: ecological adaptations and challenges for birds breeding in mountain ecosystems. AOU/COS/SCO-SOC Joint Annual Meeting, Estes Park, CO. 24 September 2014. | September 2014 |
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2013. Does nest predation or food limitation explain the elevational gradient in clutch size in Red-faced Warblers? Joint Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union and Cooper Ornithological Society, Chicago, IL. 15 Aug 2013. | August 2013 |
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2012. Breeding Biology of Red-faced Warblers in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Arizona Field Ornithologists. Lake Havasu City, AZ. 27 Oct 2012. | October 2012 |
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2011. Ecological causes of elevational gradients in clutch size. Arizona Field Ornithologists. Phoenix, AZ. 22 Oct 2011. | October 2011 |
| Technical Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Dillon, K. G., and C. J. Conway. 2017. Patterns and causes of elevational variation in avian species richness. Final Report for USGS GAP Analysis Program. | December 2017 |