Scientists & Staff
David King
Current Research
Current studies include the effects of habitat restoration on breeding prairie warblers, habitat-specific abundance and survival of wintering migrant songbirds in the Caribbean, Honduras and Belize, identifying area thresholds for breeding shrubland birds and native bees in gaps, migratory movements and stopover ecology of songbirds in the Gulf of Maine, forecasting the effects of climate change on spruce-fir birds, the effects of urbanization on forest birds, and developing market-based approaches for forest conservation in Latin America.
Research Interests
My interests are in applied conservation research, including the effects of forest management, climate change, urbanization, habitat restoration and agroforestry on Neotropical migrants during breeding, migration and stopover, with an emphasis on full life cycle conservation. This multidisciplinary approach combines ecology, ornithology and conservation biology with advanced sampling, statistical and modeling techniques to evaluate the relationship between habitat conditions and stressors with the abundance and fitness of birds and other organisms.
Past Research
I have worked on the effects of forest management on mature forest birds, the ecology of shrubland birds in silvicultural openings, powerline corridors, beaver meadows and pitch pine-scrub oak barrens, the winter ecology of the endangered golden-cheeked and golden-winged warblers, habitat selection and habitat-specific survival of mature forest birds during the postfledging period, the value of agroforestry habitats for the conservation of wintering migrant songbirds, and the effects of habitat management on native bees.
Why This Research is Important
Americans care for wildlife and wild places, and birds are a conspicuous component of our wildlife resource that attracts millions of bird watching enthusiasts annually. Many bird species are declining and require habitat management for their numbers to persist. This is particularly true of disturbance dependent species, the focus of much of my research. These populations are vulnerable at all stages of the annual cycle, and thus, my research includes study of the habitats needed for breeding, migration and over wintering. My research provides the knowledge and tools required by managers to conserve these species and the habitats they require.Education
- University of Massachusetts,Amherst, Ph.D. Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation/Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (joint degree), 1999
- University of Massachusetts,Amherst, M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation, 1995
- Humboldt State University,Arcata, B.S. Wildlife Management, 1989
Professional Organizations
- American Ornithologists' Union
- The Wildlife Society
Featured Publications & Products
- Chandler, Richard B.; King, David I.; Raudales, Raul; Trubey, Richard; Chandler, Carlin; Arce Chávez, Víctor Julio. 2013. A small-scale land-sparing approach to conserving biological diversity in tropical agricultural landscapes. Conservation Biology. 27(4): 785-795.
- King, David; Finch, Deborah M. 2013. The effects of climate change on terrestrial birds of North America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center. Online: http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/wildlife/birds/
- King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B.; Rappole, John H.; Raudales, Raul; Turbey, Rich. 2012. Community-based agroforestry initiatives in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In: Simonetti, J.A.; Grez, A.A.; C.F. Estades, C.F., eds. Biodiversity conservation in agroforestry landscapes: challenges and opportunitites. Santiago, Chile: Editorial Universitaria, Santiago: 99-115.
- Chandler, Carlin C.; King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B. 2012. Do mature forest birds prefer early-successional habitat during the post-fledging period?. Forest Ecology and Management. 264: 1-9.
- Schlossberg, Scott; King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B. 2011. Effects of low-density housing development on shrubland birds in western Massachusetts. Landscape and Urban Planning 103: 64-73.
- Schlossberg, S.; King, D.I. 2010. Effects of invasive woody plants on avian nest site selection and nesting success in shrublands. Animal Conservation. 13(3): 286-293.
Publications & Products
- Akresh, Michael E.; Meeker, Evan D.; King, David I. 2022. Observations of Snakes and Game Birds in a Managed Pine Barren in Massachusetts. Northeastern Naturalist
- Spiller, Kimberly J.; King, David I; Bolsinger, Jeffrey. 2022. Foraging and roosting habitat of Eastern Whip-poor-wills in the northeastern United States. Journal of Field Ornithology
- Akresh, Michael E.; Askins, Robert A.; King, David I; Hayes, Floyd E.; Barry, Patricia E.; Hayes, William K. 2021. Resilience in the aftermath of hurricanes: Fluctuations in a Critically Endangered population of West Indian Woodpeckers Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus over two decades. Bird Conservation International
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I; Lott, Casey A.; Larkin, Jeffery L.; D'Amato, Anthony W. 2021. A meta-analysis of the effects of tree retention on shrubland birds. Forest Ecology and Management
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I; Marra, Peter P. 2021. Hatching date influences winter habitat occupancy: Examining seasonal interactions across the full annual cycle in a migratory songbird. Ecology and Evolution
- King, David I; Jeffery, Matthew ; Bailey, Brett A. 2021. Generating indicator species for bird monitoring within the humid forests of northeast Central America. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
- Lott, Casey A.; Akresh, Michael E.; Costanzo, Bridgett E.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Duan, Shengwu ; Fiss, Cameron J.; Fraser, Jacob S.; He, Hong S.; King, David I; McNeil, Darin J.; Stoleson, Scott H.; Yamasaki, Mariko ; Larkin, Jeffery L. 2021. Do Review Papers on Bird-Vegetation Relationships Provide Actionable Information to Forest Managers in the Eastern United States?. Forests
- Mathis, Codey L.; McNeil, Darin J.; Lee, Monica R.; Grozinger, Christina M.; King, David I; Otto, Clint R.V.; Larkin, Jeffery L. 2021. Pollinator communities vary with vegetation structure and time since management within regenerating timber harvests of the Central Appalachian Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management
- Ritterson, Jeffrey D.; King, David I; Chandler, Richard B. 2021. Habitat‐specific survival of golden‐winged warblers Vermivora chrysoptera during the non‐breeding season in an agricultural landscape. Journal of Avian Biology
- Ritterson, Jeffrey D.; King, David I; Raudales, Raul ; Trubey, Richard ; Chandler, Richard B. 2021. Generating best management practices for Avian conservation with a land-sparing agricultural system. Agroforestry Systems
- Spiller, Kimberly J.; King, David I. 2021. Breeding Habitat Associations of Eastern Whip‐Poor‐Wills in Managed Forests. The Journal of Wildlife Management
- Labbé, Michelle A.; King, David I. 2020. Songbird Use of Native and Invasive Fruit in the Northeastern USA. Wildlife Society Bulletin
- Loaiza, Camilo ; Montenegro, Olga L.; King, David ; Spínola, Manuel ; Palacio, Lilibeth Arinda; Rudas, Agustín. 2020. Variation in abundance and habitat relationship of three understory insectivorous birds in a disturbed landscape of Neotropical dry forest of Colombia. Avian Research
- Miller, Anna B.; King, David ; Rowland, Mary ; Chapman, Joshua ; Tomosy, Monica ; Liang, Christina ; Abelson, Eric S.; Truex, Richard L. 2020. Sustaining wildlife with recreation on public lands: a synthesis of research findings, management practices, and research needs. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-993. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 226 p.
- Roberts, H. Patrick; King, David I. 2020. Investigating the role of matrix habitat use in determining avian area‐sensitivity. Ecology and Evolution
- Smetzer, Jennifer R.; King, David I. 2020. Intrinsic Markers Reveal Breeding Origin and Geographically-Structured Migration Timing of Two Songbird Species at a Coastal Stopover Site. Animal Migration
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I; Marra, Peter P. 2019. Examining carry‐over effects of winter habitat on breeding phenology and reproductive success in prairie warblers Setophaga discolor. Journal of Avian Biology
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I; Marra, Peter P. 2019. Rainfall and habitat interact to affect the condition of a wintering migratory songbird in The Bahamas. Ecology and Evolution
- Bailey, Brett A.; King, David I. 2019. Habitat selection and habitat quality for wintering wood thrushes in a coffee growing region in Honduras. Global Ecology and Conservation
- Bennett, Ruth ; Rodewald, Amanda ; Rosenberg, Kenneth ; Chandler, Richard ; Chavarria-Duriaux, Liliana ; Gerwin, John ; King, David ; Larkin, Jeffery L. 2019. Drivers of variation in migration behavior for a linked population of long-distance migratory passerine. The Auk
- Duclos, Timothy R.; DeLuca, William V; King, David I. 2019. Direct and indirect effects of climate on bird abundance along elevation gradients in the Northern Appalachian mountains. Diversity and Distributions
- Lerman, Susannah B.; King, David I; Arendt, Wayne ; Paulina María M., ; Paulino, Luis R. 2019. Mourning dove nest on a Palmchat colony in urban Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Urban Naturalist. 24: 1-5.
- Lott, Casey A.; Akresh, Michael E.; Elmore, Andrew J.; Fiss, Cameron J.; Fitzpatrick, Matthew C.; Joos, Cara J.; King, David I; McNeil, Darin J.; Stoleson, Scott H.; Larkin, Jeffery L. 2019. What evidence exists for landbird species-environment relationships in eastern temperate and boreal forests of North America? A systematic map protocol. Environmental Evidence
- McNeil, Darin J.; Otto, Clint R. V; Moser, Erin L.; Urban-Mead, Katherine R.; King, David E.; Rodewald, Amanda D.; Larkin, Jeffery L. 2019. Distance models as a tool for modelling detection probability and density of native bumblebees. Journal of Applied Entomology
- Roberts, H. Patrick; King, David I. 2019. Variation in plumage reflects avian habitat associations not revealed by abundance. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
- Schlossberg, Scott ; King, David I.; Destefano, Stephen ; Hartley, Mitch. 2018. Effects of early-successional shrubland management on breeding wood thrush populations. The Journal of Wildlife Management
- Smetzer, Jennifer R.; King, David I. 2018. Prolonged stopover and consequences of migratory strategy on local-scale movements within a regional songbird staging area. The Auk
- Akresh, Michael E.; Ardia, Daniel R.; King, David I. 2017. Effect of nest characteristics on thermal properties, clutch size, and reproductive performance for an open-cup nesting songbird. Avian Biology Research
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I.; Timm, Brad C.; Brooks, Robert T. 2017. Fuels Management and Habitat Restoration Activities Benefit Eastern Hognose Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) in a Disturbance-Dependent Ecosystem. Journal of Herpetology
- Roberts, H. Patrick; King, David I. 2017. Area requirements and landscape-level factors influencing shrubland birds. The Journal of Wildlife Management
- Roberts, H. Patrick; King, David I.; Milam, Joan. 2017. Factors affecting bee communities in forest openings and adjacent mature forest. Forest Ecology and Management
- Smetzer, Jennifer R.; King, David I.; Taylor, Philip D. 2017. Fall migratory departure decisions and routes of blackpoll warblers Setophaga striata and red-eyed vireos Vireo olivaceus at a coastal barrier in the Gulf of Maine. Journal of Avian Biology. 48(11): 1451-1461.
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I. 2016. Eastern whip-poor-will breeding ecology in relation to habitat management in a pitch pine-scrub oak barren. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 40(1): 97-105.
- Byers, Bruce E.; Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I.; Koenig, W. 2016. Song and Male Quality in Prairie Warblers. Ethology. 122(8): 660-670.
- Chandler, Richard B.; Tolfree, Sharna ; Gerwin, John ; Smalling, Curtis ; Chavarría-Duriaux, Liliana ; Duriaux, Georges ; King, David I. 2016. Conservation implications of Golden-winged Warbler social and foraging behaviors during the nonbreeding season. In: Streby, Henry M.; Andersen, David E.; Buehler, David, eds. Golden-winged Warbler ecology, conservation, and habitat management. Studies in Avian Biology (no. 49). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press: 175-192.
- DeLuca, William V.; King, David I. 2016. Montane birds shift downslope despite recent warming in the northern Appalachian Mountains. Journal of Ornithology. 158: 493-505.
- King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B.; Smalling, Curtis; Trubey, Richard; Raudales, Raul; Will, Tom. 2016. Nonbreeding golden-winged warbler, habitat: status, conservation, and needs. In: Streby, H.M.; Andersen, D.E.; Buehler, D.A., eds. Golden-winged warbler ecology, conservation, and habitat management. Studies in Avian Biology no. 49. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press: 29-38. [chapter 2].
- Ralston, Joel ; DeLuca, William V; Feldman, Richard E.; King, David I. 2016. Realized climate niche breadth varies with population trend and distribution in North American birds. Global Ecology and Biogeography
- Ralston, Joel; DeLuca, William V.; Feldman, Richard E.; King, David I. 2016. Population trends influence species ability to track climate change. Global Change Biology. 23: 1390-1399.
- Rohrbaugh, Ronald W.; Buehler, David A.; Swarthout, Sara Barker; King, David I.; Larkin, Jeffrey L.; Rosenberg, Kenneth V.; Roth, Amber M.; Vallender, Rachel; Will, Tom. 2016. Conservation perspectives: Review of new science and primary threats to golden-winged warblers. In: Streby, H.M.; Andersen, D.E.; Buehler, D.A., eds. Golden-winged warbler ecology, conservation, and habitat management. Studies in Avian Biology no. 49. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press: 207-215. [chapter 13].
- Streby, Henry M.; Rohrbaugh, Ronald W.; Buehler, David A.; Andersen, David E.; Vallender, Rachel; King, David I.; Will, Tom. 2016. Research on golden-winged warblers: recent progress and current needs. In: Streby, H.M.; Andersen, D.E.; Buehler, D.A., eds. Golden-winged warbler ecology, conservation, and habitat management. Studies in Avian Biology no. 49. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press: 217-227. Chapter 14.
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I. 2015. Observations of new bird species for San Salvador Island, the Bahamas. Caribbean Naturalist 26: 1-10.
- Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I.; Brooks, Robert T. 2015. Demographic response of a shrubland bird to habitat creation, succession, and disturbance in a dynamic landscape. Forest Ecology and Management. 336: 72-80.
- Byers, Bruce E.; Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I. 2015. A proxy of social mate choice in prairie warblers is correlated with consistent, rapid, low-pitched singing. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 69(8): 1275-1286.
- Ralston, Joel; King, David I.; DeLuca, William V.; Niemi, Gerald J.; Glennon, Michale J.; Scarl, Judith C.; Lambert, J. Daniel. 2015. Analysis of combined data sets yields trend estimates for vulnerable spruce-fir birds in northern United States. Biological Conservation. 187: 270-278.
- Schlossberg, Scott; King, David I. 2015. Measuring the effectiveness of conservation programs for shrubland birds. Global Ecology and Conservation
- Auer, Sonya K.; King, David I. 2014. Ecological and life-history traits explain recent boundary shifts in elevation and latitude of western North American songbirds. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 23(8): 867-875.
- Deluca, William V.; King, David I. 2014. Influence of hiking trails on montane birds. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 78(3): 494-502.
- King, David I.; Schlossberg, Scott. 2014. Synthesis of the conservation value of the early-successional stage in forests of eastern North America. Forest Ecology and Management. 324: 186-195.
- Kwit, Charles; King, David I.; Collins, Beverly; Swanson, Mark E. 2014. Conservation importance of early post-disturbance temperate forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 324: 158-159.
- Labbe, Michelle A.; King, David I.; Mousseau, Tim A. 2014. The effect of local and landscape-level characteristics on the abundance of forest birds in early-successional habitats during the post-fledging season in western Massachusetts. PLoS ONE. 9(8): e106398.
- Lerman, Susannah B.; Nislow, Keith H.; Nowak, David J.; DeStefano, Stephen; King, David I.; Jones-Farrand, D. Todd. 2014. Using urban forest assessment tools to model bird habitat potential. Landscape and Urban Planning. 122: 29-40.
- Smetzer, Jennifer R.; King, David I.; Schlossberg, Scott. 2014. Management regime influences shrubland birds and habitat conditions in the Northern Appalachians, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 78(2): 314-324.
- Berger, Alaina L.; Palik, Brian; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Fraver, Shawn; Bradford, John B.; Nislow, Keith; King, David; Brooks, Robert T. 2013. Ecological impacts of energy-wood harvests: lessons from whole-tree harvesting and natural disturbance. Journal of Forestry. 111(2): 139-153.
- Byers, Bruce E.; Kramer, Brodie A.; Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I. 2013. Interspecific song imitation by a Prairie Warbler. Journal of Field Ornithology. 84(2): 181-186.
- Jones, Todd M.; Akresh, Michael E.; King, David I. 2013. Recent sightings of Kirtland's warblers on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 125(3): 637-642.
- King, David I.; Chandler, Carlin C.; Rappole, John H.; Chandler, Richard B.; Mehlman, David W. 2012. Establishing quantitative habitat targets for a "Critically Endangered" neotropical migrant (golden-cheeked warbler Dendroica chrysoparia) during the non-breeding season. Bird Conservation International. 22(02): 213-221.
- King, David I.; Schlossberg, Scott; Brooks, Robert T.; Akresh, Michael E. 2011. Effects of fuel reduction on birds in pitch pine-scrub oak barrens of the United States. Forest Ecology and Management. 261(1): 10-18.
- King, David; Yamasaki, Mariko; DeGraaf, R.M.; Costello, Christine. 2011. Three decades of avian research on the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Forest Ecology and Management. 262(1): 3-11.
- Stoleson, Scott H.; King, David I.; Tomosy, Monica. 2011. Avian research on Experimental Forests and Ranges: Emergent themes, opportunities, and challenges. Forest Ecology and Management. 262: 49-52.
- Tomosy, Monica; Stoleson, Scott H.; King, David I. 2011. A century of avian research on USFS Experimental Forests and Ranges: Introduction to the special section on long-term avian research on Experimental Forests and Ranges. Forest Ecology and Management. 262: 1-2.
- Arce, Victor Chavez; Raudales, Raul; Trubey, Rich; King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B.; Chandler, Carlin C. 2009. Measuring and managing the environmental cost of coffee production in Latin America. Conservation and Society. 7(2):141-144.
- Chandler, Richard B.; King, David I.; Chandler, Carlin C. 2009. Effects of management regime on the abundance and nest survival of shrubland birds in wildlife openings in northern New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 258(7): 1669-1676.
- King, David I.; Chandler, Richard B.; Collins, Jeffrey M.; Petersen, Wayne R.; Lautzenheiser, Thomas E. 2009. Effects of Width, Edge and Habitat on the Abundance and Nesting Success of Scrub-shrub Birds in Powerline Corridors. Biological Conservation, 142:2672-2680.
- Wolfe, Jared D.; Chandler, Richard B.; King, David I. 2009. Molt patterns, age, and sex criteria for selected highland Costa Rican resident landbirds. Ornitologia Neotropical 20: 451-459
- King, David I.; Chandler, Carlin; Chandler, Richard; DeGraaf, Richard M. 2005. Effects of Silviculture on Mature Forest and Early-successional Shrubland Passerine Birds in Northern and Central New England. In: Kenefic, Laura S.; Twery, Mark J., eds. Changing Forests - Challenging Times: Proceedings of the New England Society of American Foresters 85th Winter Meeting; 2005 March 16-18; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-325. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 21
- King, David I.; Byers, Bruce E. 2002. An evaluation of powerline rights-of-way as habitat for early-successional shrubland birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30(3):868-874
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M. 2002. The effect of forest roads on the reproductive success of forest-dwelling passerine birds. Forest Science. 48(2): 391-396.
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M.; Champlin, Paul J.; Champlin, Tracey B. 2001. A new method for wireless video monitoring of bird nests. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 29(1): 349-353.
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M.; Griffin, Curtice R. 2001. Plumage coloration and reproductive success in male chestnut-sided warblers. Wilson Bulletin. 113(2): 239-242.
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M.; Griffin, Curtice R. 2001. Productivity of early successional shrubland birds in clearcuts and groupcuts in an eastern deciduous forest. Journal of Wildlife Management. 65(2): 345-350.
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M. 2000. Bird species diversity and nesting success in mature, clearcut and shelterwood forest in northern New Hampshire, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 129: 227-235.
- King, David I.; DeGraaf, Richard M.; Griffin, Curtice R.; Maier, Thomas J. 1999. Do Predation Rates on Artificial Nests Accurately Reflect Predation Rates on Natural Bird Nests?. J. Field Ornithol., 70(2):257-262
National Research Highlights
Bird conservation and ecosystem services on small diversified farms
Year: 2017
Small diversified farms in the northeast represent an increasing sector of the nation's agriculture. These farms encompass semi-natural habitats that can contribute to bird conservation. Forest Service scientists are gathering information on bird use of these sites for the benefit of birds and farmers.
Enhancing Songbird Populations in Eastern Forests with Forest Management
Year: 2016
Many forest bird populations are declining. Can forestry actually enhance habitat quality for these species? Forest Service scientists at the agency’s Northern Research Station conduct a study to answer this question.
Saving Tropical Forests for Migrant Birds
Year: 2013
Most northeastern and midwestern songbirds migrate to spend the winter in the tropics, where much of their habitat is threatened by clearing and conversion to agriculture. Funding for conserving tropical forests is scarce, so developing market-based incentives to conserve habitat is key. Forest Service scientists have developed strategies and techniques such as solar-thermal coffee driers that eliminate the need for cutting firewood to dry coffee and integrated open canopy coffee farming that links higher yields to forest conservation.
Shrubland Birds and Their Habitats
Year: 2010
Shrubland birds, such as prairie warblers and field sparrows require constant habitat management, and thus, reliable and specific knowledge to guide management efforts is urgently needed. NRS researchers David King and Mariko Yamasaki have been providing expert advice based on their research for state and federal land managers as well as private individuals, in both formal and informal settings.