Penn State University
Leaf Forest Resources
Leaf Bottom   Margaret C. Brittingham
Margaret C. Brittingham Title: Professor of Wildlife Resources
Extension Wildlife Specialist
Phone: 814-863-8442
Email: mxb21@psu.edu
Address: The Pennsylvania State University
School of Forest Resources
409 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802 
Education:
B.A., Vanderbilt University (1977)
B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison (1979)
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison (1981)
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison (1987)
Academic Interests:
Avian ecology; effects of habitat fragmentation on bird populations; incorporating wildlife needs into forest management plans; managing for wildlife on private lands
Affiliated Programs:
Graduate faculty, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology.
Courses Taught:
Ornithology (WFS 407), Ornithology Lab (WFS 406)
Professional Affiliation:
American Ornithologists' Union, Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, National Audubon Society, Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, Sigma Xi, Society for Conservation Biology, The Wildlife Society (National and Pennsylvania), Wilson Ornithological Society
Recent Research/Educational Projects:

Factors Influencing Habitat Quality and Productivity of Pennsylvania's Forest Songbirds
In forest habitat, a variety of factors including habitat fragmentation, acidic deposition and introduced pests like the hemlock Woolly Adeligid affect habitat quality and ultimately breeding success. My students and I are using field-based observational and experimental studies to determine factors influencing habitat quality and reproductive success. Research results wil be used to develop management guidelines and conservation priorities.

Ecology and Management of Urban Roosting Crows
In winter, American crows form large communal roosts often in urban areas where they come into conflict with people. This project is centered in a large urban roost in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and focuses on the ecology, behavior, and population dynamics of migrant and resident crows in response to ongoing management activities.

Selected Publications:

Becker, D.A., M.C. Brittingham, C.B. Goguen. 2008. Effects of hemlock woolly adelgid on breeding birds at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. Northeastern Naturalist. (In Press)

Sughrue, K. M., M.C. Brittingham, J.B. French, Jr. 2008. Endocrine effects of the herbicide Linuron on American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). Auk (In Press)

Pabian, S.E. and M.C. Brittingham. 2007. Terrestrial liming benefits in an acidified forest in the Northeast. Ecological Applications (In Press)

Rodewald, P.G. and M.C. Brittingham. 2007. Stopover habitat use by spring migrant landbirds: the roles of habitat structure, leaf development, and food availability. Auk 124:1063-1074.

Rodewald, P.G. and M.C. Brittingham. 2004. Stopover habitats of landbirds during fall: use of edge-dominated and early-successional forests. Auk 121:1040-1055.

Brittingham, M.C. and L.M. Williams. 2000. Bat boxes as alternative roosts for displaced bat maternity colonies. Wildl. Soc. Bull.

Hoover, J.P. and M.C. Brittingham. 1998. Nest-site selection and nesting success of wood thrushes. Wilson Bull. 110:375-383.

Wilson, G.R., M.C. Brittingham, and L.J. Goodrich. 1998. How well do artificial nests estimate success of real nests? Condor 100:357-364.

Williams, L. M., and M. C. Brittingham. 1997. Selection of maternity roosts by big brown bats. J. Wildl. Manage. 61:359-368.

Brittingham, M. C., and S. A. Temple. 1996. Vegetation around parasitized and non-parasitized nests within deciduous forests. J. Field Ornith. 67:406-413.

Hoover, J.P., M.C. Brittingham, and L.J. Goodrich. 1995. Effects of forest patch size on nesting success of wood thrushes. Auk 112:146-155.

Hoover, J.P. and M.C. Brittingham. 1993. Regional variation in cowbird parasitism of wood thrushes. Wilson Bull. 105:228-238.

Brittingham, M.C. and S.A. Temple. 1992. Use of winter bird feeders by black-capped chickadees. J. Wildl. Manage. 56:103-110.

 
 
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This page last updated on: June 27, 2008

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