Research Experience for Teachers

Anthony Umelo
Anacostia Senior High School
District of Columbia Public Schools
Washington, D.C. 20020

B.S., Ph.D. - Howard University

Carla Dove, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist

"It is amazing to discover that real time world class research scientists apply old and improved laboratory practices to new use."

Examination of Intraspecific Variation in the Microscopic Feather
Characters of Three Species of Gulls (Laridae)

Variations in physical and microscopic feather characters are useful and important tools in Forensic Ornithology to determine features unique to particular groups of birds. Variations in feather characters are mainly used in the identification of birds/aircraft collisions (birdstrikes). It is possible to identify species of birds based on feathers alone by examining the whole contour feather characters such as size, color, texture and pattern together with the microscopic structures in the plumulaceous (downy) barbules of feathers. Birdstrikes cause millions of dollars of damage to civil and military aircraft each year. If the species of birds that are causing damage are known, airfield personnel and engineers can work together to prevent damaging strikes by designing safer aircraft and managing habitats at airports. This research focused on some of the variations in the microscopic feather characters of three species of related species of gulls (Laridae) that are commonly involved in birdstrikes. Microscopic plumulaceous (downy) feather barbules of Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla), Ringbilled Gull (Larus delawarensis), and Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) were mounted on microslides and six characters were examined: number of pigmented nodes, barbule length, nodal width, internodal length, basal pigment length, and distal pigment length. The differences among the feather characteristics were tested using basic statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that differences were found (P.<.05) between Laughing Gull and Herring Gull and Ringbilled Gull in the number of pigmented nodes, barbule length, base pigment, and distal pigmented length. This study provided evidence that examination of some microscopic characters in the plumulaceous barbules may be used to separate these three species of gulls and will aid in birdstrike identification research.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers Award Number EEC-973148, Supplement #11.

Letter of Gratitude