I'm working on a story about seabird divorce & need a seabird expert *not* directly involved in any of the specific studies I'm writing about who could comment on *why* these fine-scale demographic details are important. I know there are lots of seabird folks here - @sjurdur.bsky.social? Anyone? 🪶🧪 - ThreadSky

rheisman.bsky.social • 483 days ago

I'm working on a story about seabird divorce & need a seabird expert *not* directly involved in any of the specific studies I'm writing about who could comment on *why* these fine-scale demographic details are important. I know there are lots of seabird folks here - @sjurdur.bsky.social? Anyone? 🪶🧪

Comments

kirkwoodlab.bsky.social•483 days ago

@thelabandfield.bsky.social

sjurdur.bsky.social•483 days ago

The first people I would ask this kind of thing are already on this thread: Alex Bond and Ingrid Pollet

kimmoynahan.bsky.social•483 days ago

@kimsrogers.bsky.social ?

thelabandfield.bsky.social•483 days ago

I mean, if you're really stuck, I know a little bit

rheisman.bsky.social•483 days ago

Alex, I may shoot you an email, if that's okay!

j-dunning.net•483 days ago

Seconded, Alex would be my choice for this.

liamlangley1.bsky.social•483 days ago

There seems to be a bit of a dearth of seabird ecologists on here so far! My expertise is in movement ecology rather than demography . I’ll have a think if there’s anyone I can put you in touch with! @stubearhop.bsky.social works on wildfowl demography and seabirds so might be a good place to start?

biancanogrady.bsky.social•483 days ago

no idea but gosh i love the sound of that story! Can't wait to read it.

rheisman.bsky.social•483 days ago

Thanks! There are multiple studies looking at how individual birds' personalities affect their likelihood of splitting up with their partner, which is totally fascinating (at least, I think so). I confess I titled my pitch "These birds are never, ever, ever getting back together."

biancanogrady.bsky.social•483 days ago

Love it!! Must be so fun to write.

sjurdur.bsky.social•483 days ago

Same! Looking forward to reading this!

rheisman.bsky.social•483 days ago

Ha, well, I will do my best to live up to expectations! It's only going to be ~750 words, not a big feature or anything.

cmbeale.bsky.social•483 days ago

Maybe @sarahdalgulls.bsky.social ?

sarahdalgulls.bsky.social•483 days ago

Cheers Colin, not sure if I'm exactly what Rebecca is looking for (I'm not an academic) but would be happy to help, if I can!

cmbeale.bsky.social•483 days ago

But there are many experts and scientists who aren't academics and I think you'd qualify as both there!

rheisman.bsky.social•482 days ago

Sarah's work is great, I love seeing her posts both here and on Mastodon!

sarahdalgulls.bsky.social•482 days ago

Thanks Rebecca! Dm me if I can be of any help

zedmorgan.bsky.social•483 days ago

I study seabirds (physiology, behavior but haven't written any papers on divorce) - happy to try to answer some questions if I can?

zedmorgan.bsky.social•483 days ago

Though I'm not sure if this is what you're after, I think it's (partly) about sexual selection in terms of inter-individual compatibility, rather than "universal best mates." Assortative/disasortative mating in terms of personality (rather than more obvious indicators of "quality") is interesting!

bellwhitworth.bsky.social•483 days ago

I had no idea seabirds got divorced 😳 Learn something new every day 👍🏼 All the best with your story 😊

rheisman.bsky.social•483 days ago

Yep, researchers literally use the word "divorce" to describe it when these long-lived birds that usually mate for life break up with their partner - and birds are more likely to divorce if their personalities are incompatible!