The AOS proudly recognizes the students receiving honors for the best oral presentations given at the 135th stated meeting of American Ornithology in East Lansing, Michigan. These awards are not ranked. They honor excellence in presenting original, significant science that advances our understanding of birds and their conservation. The Student Presentation Awards Committee chairs are Matt Carling and Morgan Tingley. The 2017 awardees (listed in alphabetical order of last names for categories with multiple awardees) are as follows:
NELLIE JOHNSON BAROODY AWARD
Sarah Dzielski, Cornell University
Poster: What's in a feather? Reconstructing mercury concentrations through time using museum specimens
The Nellie Johnson Baroody Award recognizes an outstanding oral presentation by a student given on any topic. The award was established in 1980 by an anonymous donor, who endowed a fund in honor of the individual's early mentor, Mrs. Baroody, an amateur birdwatcher in Berwyn, Illinois. The award includes an honorarium and a framed certificate.
ROBERT B. BERRY AWARD
Kristin Bianchini, University of Saskatchewan
Presentation: Effects of oil contaminant exposure on pre-migratory fuelling in two shorebird species
The Robert B. Berry Award recognizes the best oral presentation by a student on the subject of conservation. The award was established in 2007 at the annual meeting in Laramie, Wyoming, through the generous gift of Mr. Berry, a Wyoming rancher, philanthropist, falcon breeder, and conservationist. The award includes an honorarium and a framed certificate.
MARK E. HAUBER AWARD
Tara Imlay, Dalhousie University
Presentation: Carry-over effects from wintering to breeding for Barn and Cliff swallows
Janice Kelly, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Presentation: Conspecific and heterospecific responses to perceived density for breeding habitat selection
The Mark E. Hauber Award recognizes the most outstanding oral presentation by a student on avian behavior. The presentation must include statistical analysis of the behavior of individually identifiable birds in the wild or in captivity. The award was established in 2015 through a generous gift by Dr. Hauber, the 18th editor of The Auk and a dedicated ornithologist and behavioral scientist. The award includes an honorarium and a framed certificate.
AOS COUNCIL AWARDS
George Cummins, Northern Arizona University
Presentation: Evolution of response to nest predators in passerines
Shane DuBay, University of Chicago
Presentation: Bird specimens track 135 years of atmospheric soot and environmental policy
Kyle Horton, University of Oklahoma
Presentation: The migrant turnstile, quantifying 21 years of migration through the Gulf of Mexico
Nick Mason, Cornell University
Presentation: Song evolution, vocal learning, and speciation in passerine birds
Desiree Narango, University of Delaware
Presentation: Non-native plants reduce reproductive success of an insectivorous bird
Katie Schroeder, East Carolina University
Presentation: Vocalizations in a non-passerine: What can call structure tell us about an individual king rail?
The Council of the American Ornithological Society recognizes students at each annual meeting for their outstanding oral presentations given on any subject. The award includes an honorarium and a framed certificate.
