WOMEN IN SEABIRD SCIENCE
Emilie Knighton
they/them
MSc Student
Acadia
University
Discipline
Behaviour, Population Dynamics, Reproductive Biology & Life History
Regional Focus
Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick, Canada
Years Active
0-2 years
Species Focus
Sea ducks and allies (Anatidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I work with colonial Red-breasted Mergansers to understand whether host Red-breasted Mergansers respond to conspecific brood parasitism by discriminating against parasitic eggs and how conspecific brood parasitism affects incubation behaviour. Using albumen to identify parasitic eggs and data loggers to track incubation activity, I investigated host behaviour in colonial Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) at Kouchibouguac National Park, NB.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
The world is full of opportunities some present themselves, others you have to make for yourself. There is no better feeling than doing what you love. Sometimes it takes work to enter a project, but always ask, you never know the answer.
Emilie Knighton wearing a blue sweater and sunglasses on their head, holding a black duck on the left side of their face at Université Sainte-Anne, banding dabbling ducks during migration.
Email:
Website:
Twitter:
@Em_Knn
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