Raleigh Robertson - Professor

Research: My research involves field studies of the population and behavioural ecology of birds, with a focus on reproductive strategies and social organization, habitat relations and conservation biology.  Recent projects, with some work continuing, include: (a) studies of paternity, mating systems and sperm competition in Tree Swallows, (b) ecology and behaviour of the Cerulean Warbler, a species listed as ‘vulnerable’ by COSEWIC, with emphasis on developing a conservation strategy, (c) paternity, gene flow and hybridization of the Golden-winged Warbler, listed as ‘threatened’ by COSEWIC.
 
Our Tree Swallow studies are at the Queen’s University Biological Station where we have populations nesting in grids of nest boxes that have been studied since 1975.  Similarly, our Cerulean and Golden-winged Warbler projects are conducted at QUBS where there are sizeable and successful populations of both species on the various research tracts.
 
With retirement on the near horizon, I am no longer accepting new grad students.  However, I am amenable to involvement on supervisory committees, or to potential secondary co-supervision, on Tree Swallow, Cerulean Warbler, and Golden-winged Warbler studies, and perhaps other bird studies as well.  For information on potential Tree Swallow projects, contact Dr. Frances Bonier, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Queen’s, who plans to take over the established grids of Tree Swallow nest boxes at the Queen’s University Biological Station.  For potential projects on either Cerulean or Golden-winged Warblers, contact Dr. Paul Martin, Assistant Professor and Baillie Family Chair of Conservation Biology at Queen’s University.

»» Lab Website »« email: robertsr@queensu.ca »« telephone: 613-533-6140 ««

Some Recent Publications: 

•  Girvan, M. K., J. Jones, D. R. Norris, J. J. Barg , T. K. Kyser, and R. J. Robertson. Long-distance dispersal patterns of male Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) measured by stable-hydrogen isotopes. AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY 2 (2): 3. [online] URL: http://www.ace-eco.org/vol2/iss2/art3/ 2007.
• Barber, CA; Robertson, RJ. Timing of copulations and the pattern of paternity in relation to laying order in tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor. JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY 38: 249, 2007.
  Reed, LP; Vallender, R; Robertson, RJ. Provisioning rates by Golden-winged warblers. WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY 119: 350, 2007.
• Stapleton, MK; Kleven, O; Lifjeld, JT; Robertson, RJ. Female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) increase offspring heterozygosity through extrapair mating. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 61: 1725, 2007.
• Vallender, R; Friesen, VL; Robertson, RJ. Paternity and performance of golden-winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) and golden-winged X blue-winged warbler (V-pinus) hybrids at the leading edge of a hybrid zone. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 61: 1797, 2007.
• Vallender, R; Robertson, RJ; Friesen, VL; Lovette, IJ. Complex hybridization dynamics between golden-winged and blue-winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera and Vermivora pinus) revealed by AFLP, microsatellite, intron and mtDNA markers. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY 16: 2017, 2007.