WRDS Research Team:
- Joe Nocera, Research Scientist (Species-at-Risk)
- Val von Zuben, Research Technician
- Tara MacDonald, Research Technician
Project Objectives/Overview:
Many species of aerial insectivores are have undergone dramatic population declines in North America and abroad. To date, we have been unable to determine how and if dietary change may be responsible. We discovered a remarkably well-preserved guano deposit representing a 50-year, high-resolution record of chimney swift diet. This is an important opportunity to reconstruct the diet of this species, as it is representative of many species of aerial insectivores. Our examination of this powerful paleological data source shows that historic DDT applications dramatically altered the food quality and trophic status of this threatened insectivore - a situation that likely applies to many other insectivorous species.
Collaborators and Participants:
- David Beresford, Trent University
- Jules Blais, University of Ottawa
- Chris Grooms, Queen’s University
- Linda Kimpe, University of Ottawa
- Neal Michelutti, Queen’s University
- Matthew Reudink, Thompson Rivers University
- John Smol, Queen’s University
Funding Partners:
- NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council)
- Trent University, University of Ottawa, and Queen’s University
- MNR Applied Research and Development Branch
Interesting Facts! Chimney swift populations have declined in Ontario (and across Canada) by 95%; they capture insects in flight, like dozens of aerial insectivore bird species – all of which are in strong population decline.
