We are excited to announce a new initiative to limelight researchers who have completed their PhDs and published their raw data as open access through eBird. Such datasets from scientists are generally of very high standard due to their structured protocols and often are in landscapes where good data is hard to come by. This is to showcase how academic research can work hand-in-hand with citizen science, improving the quality and depth of ornithological datasets.
By making research data publicly available, scientists not only contribute to global knowledge but also empower bird enthusiasts and amateur ornithologists to engage more deeply with data, ultimately enriching the overall birding community. This is a crucial step in making ornithological studies more accessible and creating a stronger bridge between academic research and citizen science.
Meet the Researchers
To kick off this initiative, we are proud to feature three researchers who have contributed to this effort by sharing their data through eBird. Their work is helping bridge the gap between academia and citizen science, inspiring more researchers to follow suit. Here are their stories:
1. Dr. T. R. Shankar Raman
Current Affiliation: Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)
PhD Thesis Title: Community Ecology and Conservation of Tropical Rainforest Birds in the Southern Western Ghats, India
Year of Data Collection: 1997–2000
Geographical Field Area: Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and Valparai Plateau, Western Ghats
Number of Checklists Uploaded: 1,339
Brief Description of PhD Work:
Dr. T. R. Shankar Raman’s research focused on the community structure and composition of tropical rainforest birds across an elevational gradient and in relation to habitat alteration and fragmentation in the southern Western Ghats.
Public Datasets Published Elsewhere:
- Raman, T. R. S., Mudappa, D., Jeganathan, P., Joshi, N. V. and Sukumar, R. (2022). Data on bird communities and vegetation in relation to altitude and habitat alteration in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.41ns1rngj
Profiles:
Google Scholar
ORCID ID
eBird Profile
2. Dr. Umesh Srinivasan
Current Affiliation: Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (CES, IISC)
PhD Thesis Title: Demographic Responses of Understorey Bird Species to Human-Induced Habitat Degradation in the Eastern Himalaya
Year of Data Collection: 2011 – 2014
Geographical Field Area: Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh
Approximate Number of Checklists Uploaded: 1,000
Brief Description of PhD Work:
Dr. Umesh Srinivasan’s research focusses on examining the demographic responses of understorey birds to forest degradation. His work involves the use of mist netting, bird ringing, and capture-recapture analysis to assess how habitat degradation impacts bird populations in the Eastern Himalaya.
Profiles:
3. Dr. Sarabjeet Kaur Narula
Current Affiliation: NA
PhD Thesis Title: Foraging Ecology of Great Slaty Woodpecker in and around Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve in Western Himalaya
Year of Data Collection: 2017-2020
Geographical Field Area: Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand
Approximate Number of Checklists Uploaded: 80
Brief Description of PhD Work:
Dr. Sarabjeet Kaur Narula conducted a study on the distribution and abundance of the Great Slaty Woodpecker, a cooperative breeder, in and around Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand. She located 14 family groups, comprising a total of 63 individuals, marking the first population estimate for this species in the region.
A unique behavioural observation from the study included an ‘inflight dance’ performed by two overlapping family groups during the breeding season. Additionally, Dr. Narula documented colour aberrations in two individuals and noted, for the first time, the species’ use of Mallotus phillipensis seeds.
Profiles:
If you are one of the PhD scholars who has bird data on eBird, we’d love to feature you in this initiative. We’ve created a simple Google form to collect information, ensuring that it’s quick to fill out while capturing the essence of your important work. This will allow us to spotlight how your academic studies are advancing both science and the birding community.
We value your feedback! Please leave your comments in the box below. For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Header Image: (L-R): Ashambu Laughingthrush , Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, and Greater Slaty Woodpecker. Photo Credits: Udaya Kumar Balasubramanian, Manjunath Desai, Vivek Rawat and Macaulay Library
