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Todd Jones 2023 Curriculum Vitae
Todd Jones 2023 Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
Postdoctoral Fellow, Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute,
Smithsonian Institution
Research Affiliate, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Email: jonestm@si.edu; toddmj@illinois.edu
EDUCATION
2021 PhD, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Michael Ward
Dissertation: Age specific mortality, pre- to post-fledging carryover effects, and
the timing of fledging in altricial songbirds
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
09/2022-Present Postdoctoral Fellow
Migratory Bird Center
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
09/2022-Present Postdoctoral Fellow, Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
and Conservation Biology Institute
Collaborating on avian research at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest;
studying the post-fledging ecology and life history trade-offs in the Black-
throated Blue Warbler and Ovenbird.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Interests: Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, Ornithology, Conservation Biology, Life History
Theory, Urbanization and Climate-induced Environmental Change
My research focuses on associations among parameters of fitness and variation of animal life histories,
using birds as model species. More specifically, I'm interested in the causes and consequences of post-
fledging survival of fledgling birds. Overall, however, my interests in avian ecology are relatively broad. I
have more general interests in avian breeding ecology and conservation, and in avian responses to
urbanization and climate-induced environmental change. My past and current research has examined
variation in coloration and condition across and urban-to-rural gradient, how avian morphologies vary
with urban-associated sensory pollution, prevalence and costs of blood parasites in small songbirds, host-
brood parasite interactions, fledging behavior, functional ecology of juvenile wings, and pre- to post-
fledging carryover effects (with a focus on life history evolution).
PUBLICATIONS
24 publications in 20 peer-reviewed journals including PNAS, Ecology, and Global Change Biology:
24. Jones, T. M., A. P. Llamas, and J. N. Phillips. In press. Phenotypic signatures of urbanization?
Resident, but not migratory, songbird eye size varies with urban-associated light pollution levels.
Global Change Biology.
23. Jones, T. M., L. J. Kearns, and A. D. Rodewald. In press. Anthropogenic light pollution is associated
with diel patterns of fledging in an urban adapted songbird. Urban Ecosystems.
22. Jones, T. M., S. J. Chiavacci, T. J. Benson, and M. P. Ward. In press. Nesting and post-fledging
predation risk influence diel patterns of songbird fledging. Ibis.
21. Jones, T. M., A. J. Di Giovanni, M. E. Hauber, and M. P. Ward. 2023. Ontogenetic effects of brood
parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird on host offspring. Ecology 104: e3925.
20. Di Giovanni, A. J., M. J. Miller, T. M. Jones, T. J. Benson, and M. P. Ward. 2023. Hatching failure is
greater in altricial bird species with cavity nests and large clutches. Ornithology 140: 1-15.
19. Jones, T. M., T. J. Benson, M. E. Hauber, and M. P. Ward. 2022. Host-community wide patterns of
post-fledging behavior and survival of obligate brood parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds.
Oecologia 198: 981-993.
18. Jones, T. M., and M. P. Ward. 2022. Post-fledging behavioral ecology of migratory songbirds: how
do fledgling activity rates vary across species? Behavioral Ecology 33: 336-342.
17. Merrill, L., T. M. Jones, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2021. Early-life patterns of growth are linked
to levels of phenotypic trait covariance and postfledging mortality across avian species. Ecology
and Evolution 11: 15695-15707.
16. Jones, T. M., and M. P. Ward. 2021. Parasitic cowbird development up to fledging and subsequent
post-fledging survival reflect life history variation found across host species. Behavioral Ecology
and Sociobiology 75: 133.
15. Jones, T. M., T. J. Benson, and M. P. Ward. 2020. Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle)
Diet. Herpetological Review 51: 839.
13. Jones, T. M., and M. P. Ward. 2020. Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects and the adaptive
significance of variation in wing development for juvenile songbirds. Journal of Animal Ecology
89: 2235-2245.
12. Pollock, H. S., T. M. Jones, C. E. Tarwater, E. T. Nishikawa, and J. D. Brawn. 2020. Rapid
colonization of a large treefall gap in a lowland tropical forest. Journal of Field Ornithology 91:
107-117.
11. Jones, T. M., T. J. Benson, and M. P. Ward. 2020. Does the size and developmental stage of traits at
fledging reflect juvenile flight ability among songbirds? Functional Ecology 34: 799-810.
10. Pollock, H. S., J. A. Savidge, M. Kastner, T. F. Seibert, and T. M. Jones. 2019. Pervasive impacts of
invasive brown treesnakes drive low fledgling survival in endangered Micronesian Starlings
(Aplonis opaca) on Guam. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 121: 1-11.
9. Jones, T. M., L. Merrill, S. E. Zachar, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2019. Haemosporidian parasite
infections in the Dickcissel (Spiza americana): prevalence and costs. Journal of Parasitology 105:
232-236.
8. Jones, T. M., J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2018. Development of activity rates in fledgling
songbirds: when do young birds begin to behave like adults? Behaviour 155: 337-350.
7. Jones, T. M., J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2017. Post-fledging habitat use in the Dickcissel. The
Condor: Ornithological Applications 119: 497-504.
6. Jones, T. M., M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, and J. D. Brawn. 2017. Variation in nestling body condition
and wing development predict cause-specific mortality in fledgling dickcissels. Journal of Avian
Biology 48: 439-447.
5. Watts, B. D., F. M. Smith, C. Poli, N. Banfield, and T. M. Jones. 2015. Bell’s Vireo captured on
lower Delmarva Peninsula. The Raven 86: 11-12.
4. Zenzal Jr., T. J., A. C. Fish, T. M. Jones, E. A. Ospina, and F. R. Moore. 2013. Observations of
mortality and anti-predator behavior of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilocus colubris)
during migratory stopover. Southeastern Naturalist 12: N21-N25.
3. Jones, T. M., M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2013. Recent sightings of Kirtland’s Warblers on San
Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 125: 637-643.
2. Rodewald, A. D., D. P. Shustack, and T. M. Jones. 2011. Dynamic selective environments and
evolutionary traps in a human dominated landscape. Ecology 92: 1781-1788.
1. Jones, T. M., A. D. Rodewald, and D. P. Shustack. 2010. Variation in plumage coloration of Northern
Cardinals in urbanizing landscapes. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122: 326-333.
In Revision/Review/Prep
a. Di Giovanni, A. J., T. M. Jones, T. J. Benson, and M. P. Ward. In review. Factors affecting embryonic
heart rate across altricial bird species. Proceedings of the Royal Society B
d. Phillips, J. N., T. M. Jones, and C. D. Francis. In prep. Nesting near noise and light-filled nights: The
fitness consequences of enduring combined sensory pollution.
e. Jones, T. M., T. S. S. Sillett, and S. A. Kaiser. In prep. Post-fledging ecology across the altricial-
precocial spectrum: what do we know and where do we go from here?
Grants
2023 Resilience of migratory songbirds to changes in green season length in the northern forest.
Smithsonian Institution Pathfinder Grant. Co-PIs: T. Scott Sillett, Todd M. Jones, Sara A. Kaiser
($49,860)
2019 North American Bluebird Society Research Grant ($1000)
2018 American Ornithological Society Hildegard Hesse Award ($2500)
2018 Illinois Ornithological Society Research Grant ($1000)
2015 Paul Stewart Inland Bird Banding Association Avian Research Grant ($1000)
2015 American Ornithologists Union Research Award ($2500)
2015 Wilson Ornithological Society Research Grant ($1500)
2015 Association of Field Ornithologists’ E. Alexander Bergstrom Memorial Research Award ($1000)
2015 Illinois Ornithological Society Research Grant ($1000)
2006 The Ohio State University Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund ($300)
Awards
2023 American Ornithological Society Travel Award ($346)
2020 Honorable Mention, American Ornithological Society Student Presentation Award
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Presented 6 invited research seminars, 14 scientific presentations (11 oral, 3 posters, includes presentations as
a co-author):
20. A. P. Llamas, T. M., Jones, and J. N. Phillips. 2023. How does sensory pollution and urban
vegetation affect avian diversity and nesting success? American Ornithological Society.
19. Hutchison, J., T. M. Jones, E. Woernley, and S. A. Kaiser. 2023. Post-fledging movements, survival,
and habitat use of juvenile black-throated blue warblers. American Ornithological Society
Conference, London, Ontario.
18. Hutchison, J., T. M. Jones, E. Woernley, and S. A. Kaiser. 2023. Post-fledging survival, movement,
and habitat use of migratory black-throated blue warblers in high- and low-risk habitat. Hubbard
Brook Ecosystem Study 60th Annual Cooperators’ Meeting, Plymouth, NH.
17. T. M. Jones, A. P. Llamas, and J. N. Phillips. 2023. Phenotypic signatures of urbanization? Resident,
but not migratory, songbird eye size varies with urban-associated light pollution levels. American
Ornithological Society Conference, London, Ontario.
16. T. M. Jones, S. S. Sillett, M. S. Webster, and S. A. Kaiser. 2023. Post-fledging ecology in a changing
world. 2023 Hubbard Brook Cooperators Meeting, Plymouth, NH.
15. T. M. Jones. 2023. Age-specific mortality, pre- to post-fledging carryover effects, and post-fledging
ecology in a changing world. Cornell Lab of Ornithology Science Friday Seminar Series, Virtual.
14. T. M. Jones. 2023. Post-fledging ecology in a changing world: benefits of an extended breeding
season? Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Spring 2023 Quarterly Meeting, Virtual.
13. T. M. Jones. 2022. Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects and parent-offspring conflict help mediate
variation in life histories among songbirds. Biology Seminar Series, Texas A&M University-San
Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
11. T. M. Jones, and M. P. Ward. 2021. Songbird parents evict young for their own benefit. Illinois Bird
Conservation Network, Chicago, Illinois.
10. T. M. Jones, T. J. Benson, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2020. Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects
reflect trade-offs that explain variation in life histories among altricial songbirds. North American
Ornithological Conference, Virtual; Honorable Mention, Student Presentation Award Competition.
9. T. M. Jones, T. J. Benson, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2020. Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects
reflect trade-offs that explain variation in life histories among altricial songbirds. Graduates in
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Research Symposium. University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, Urbana, IL.
8. T. M. Jones, T. J. Benson, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2019. Avian Research at Kennekuk County
Park: Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects in a grassland-shrubland songbird community. Kennekuk
County Park Outdoor School for Adults, Vermillion County, IL.
7. T. M. Jones, T. J., Benson, J. D. Brawn, and M. P. Ward. 2018. Does variation in nestling wing
development and body condition drive post-fledging survival within and among songbird species?
Middlefork Audubon Society, Vermillion County, IL.
6. T. M. Jones, M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, and J. D. Brawn. 2018. Does variation in nestling wing
development and body condition drive post-fledging survival within and among songbird species?
American Ornithological Society Conference, Tucson, AZ.
5. T. M. Jones, M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, and J. D. Brawn. 2017. Variation in Nestling Body Condition
and Wing Development at Fledging Predict Post-fledging, Cause-specific Mortality in the Dickcissel
(Spiza americana). The Wildlife Society-Illinois Student Chapter, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, Urbana, IL.
4. T. M. Jones and M. P. Ward. 2017. Nesting and Post-fledging Ecology of Eastern Bluebirds in East-
central Illinois. 2nd Annual Bluebird Monitoring Celebration Potluck and Program, Middlefork
Audubon Society. Forest Glen Nature Preserve, Georgetown, IL.
3. T. M. Jones, M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, and J. D. Brawn. 2016. Variation in Nestling Body Condition
and Wing Development at Fledging Predict Post-fledging, Cause-specific Mortality in the Dickcissel
(Spiza americana). North American Ornithological Conference. Washington, D. C. 2016.
2. T. M. Jones, M. P. Ward, T. J. Benson, and J. D. Brawn. 2016. Nestling Body Condition and Wing
Development Predict Juvenile Post-fledging Survival in a Neotropical Migratory Songbird.
Graduates in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Research Symposium. University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS
2015-Present Association of Field Ornithologists’
2015-Present American Ornithological Society
2015-Present Wilson Ornithological Society
2017-Present Raptor Research Foundation
2020-Present Ecological Society of America
2023-Present Ohio Ornithological Society
2015-2022 Illinois Ornithological Society
2017-2022 Illinois Audubon Society
REFERENCES
Dr. Michael Ward
Professor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Turner Hall, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-4089; mpward@illinois.edu