Janelle Chojnacki - Humans, Ravens & Plovers

Humboldt wildlife graduate Janelle Chojnacki delves into the natural history and behavior of both species. Ravens exhibit complex social behaviors, aerial displays, vocalizations, and pair bonds. Their numbers in Humboldt make them problematic for the organisms they prey upon, including threatened species like the Western snowy plover. Ravens are the dominant nest predator of snowy plovers. Janelle’s research used GPS tracking data and behavioral surveys to better understand the causal factors of ravens’ high abundance here. Findings are being used to inform raven management in relation to snowy plovers locally and throughout the plovers' breeding range.