Faculty > Dr. David Horn

LTSC225
Assistant Professor, Ecology
217-424-6392
DHorn@millikin.edu

Dr. David Horn joined the faculty at Millikin University in fall 2005.  His research interests include how habitat loss and fragmentation have impacted grassland, wetland and forest bird populations, wild bird feeding, and the impact of wind turbines, television towers, and windows on bird populations.  From 2007-2009, Dr. Horn will serve as the Howard L. Gravett Endowed Chair in Biology.

Curriculum Vitae

Educational Experience:

Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (1996 - 2000), Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
M.S. Biological Sciences (1993 - 1995), The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi.
B.A. Biology (1989 - 1993), Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio

Courses Taught:

• Biodiversity in the Americas, Interdisciplinary 140
• Biology of Birds, Biology 102
• Pay it Forward – Working for an Environmental Cause, Biology 102
• Environmental Biology, Biology 130
• Attributes of Life Laboratory, Biology 158
• Ecology, Biology 314
• Ornithology, Biology 324
• Vertebrate Biology, Biology 325
• Senior Seminar, Biology 481

Publications:
Peer-reviewed

• Horn, D. J., and R. R. Koford. 2006. Could the area sensitivity of some grassland birds be

  affected by landscape composition? D. Egan and J. A. Harrington, eds. Proceedings of the 19th North American Prairie Conference. University of Wisconsin–Madison.

• Horn, D. J., M. L. Phillips, R. R. Koford, W. R. Clark, M. A. Sovada, and R. J. Greenwood. 2005. Landscape composition, patch size, and distance to edges: interactions affecting duck reproductive success. Ecological Applications 15:1367-1376.

• Horn, D. J., M. Abdallah, M. K. Bastian, J. R. DeMartini, and R. M. Wilhelmi. 2003. Bird abundance at feeders increases with decreasing distance to cover. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 96:247-254.

• Phillips, M. L., W. R. Clark, M. A. Sovada, D. J. Horn, R. R. Koford, and R. J. Greenwood. 2003. Predator selection of prairie landscape features and its relation to duck nest success. Journal of Wildlife Management 67:104-114.

• Horn, D. J., R. R. Koford, and M. L. Braland. 2002. Effects of field size and landscape composition on grassland birds in south-central Iowa. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 109:1- 7.

• Horn, D. J., S. E. Fairbairn, and R. J. Hollis. 2002. Factors influencing the occurrence of birds that use feeders in Iowa. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 109:8-18.

• Horn, D. J., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Relation of grassland bird abundance to mowing of Conservation Reserve Program fields in North Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:653-659.

• Horn, D. J., R. J. Fletcher, Jr., and R. R. Koford. 2000. Detecting area sensitivity: a comment on previous studies. American Midland Naturalist 144:28-35.

• Horn, D. J. 1999. The species richness of birds visiting a yard is influenced by the feeders/seeds present. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science 106:21-25.

• Horn, D. J., and M. Benninger-Truax. 1997. The summer bird community in a late-successional beech-maple forest in Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science 97:14-16.

• Horn, D. J., and J. D. Maul. 1997. Northern harrier builds nest on top of depredated mallard nest. Prairie Naturalist 29:49.

• Horn, D. J., M. Benninger-Truax, and D. W. Ulaszewski. 1996. The influence of habitat characteristics on nestbox selection by eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and four competitors. Ohio Journal of Science 96:57-59.

• Horn, D. J. 1995. Perching orientation affects number of feeding attempts and seed consumption by the American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). Ohio Journal of Science 95:292-293.

Other publications

• Horn, D. J., G. W. Bell, D. N. Helm, S. E. Hoth, D. J. Johnson, E. V. Kingsbury, J. A. Kraft, J. A. Leifheit, T. M. Mikalauskas, J. D. Stubis, S. R. Sully, D. L. Swanson, and R. Turks. 2003. The effect of temperature on abundance and food choice of birds at feeders in northeastern Illinois. Meadowlark 12:122-126.
  
  
• Horn, D. J. book review. 2002. Evolutionary origin of feathers, by P. F. A. Maderson and D. G. Homberger, editors. Journal of Field Ornithology 73:109-111.
  
  
• Horn, D. J. book review. 2000. The origin and evolution of birds, Second edition, by A. Feduccia. Journal of Field Ornithology 71:568-570.
  
  
• Horn, D. J. 2000. The influence of habitat features on grassland birds nesting in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. 204 p.
  
  
• Horn, D. J., S. E. Fairbairn, and R. J. Hollis. 1999. Comparison of Iowa Winter Bird Feeder Survey and Breeding Bird Survey population trends. Iowa Bird Life 69:85-88.
  
  
• Horn, D. J., S. E. Fairbairn, and R. J. Hollis. 1998. Population trends of Iowa birds that use feeders. Iowa Bird Life 68:109-122. van Riper III, C., M. Mora, D. J. Ingold, R. Butler, and D. J. Horn. 1998. Career Opportunities in Ornithology. Revised edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
  
  
• Davis, W. M., and D. J. Horn. 1997. Feeder use by spring migrant rose-breasted grosbeaks in north Mississippi and adjacent states. Mississippi Kite 27:2-5.
  
  
• Horn, D. J. 1995. The influence of patch characteristics on bird assemblages in a fragmented landscape. M.S. Thesis, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS. 70 p.
  
  
• Hom, D. J. Birds of the James H. Barrow Field Station. Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio.
  

Presentations:
Invited Lectures

• “Making the backyard safer for birds.” Decatur Breakfast Sertoma Club, Decatur, IL (2008)
• “PROJECT WILDBIRD – Food and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and

            Canada.”  Wild Bird Feeding Industry, Scottsdale, AZ (2007)

• “PROJECT WILDBIRD – Food and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and

           Canada” Annual Convention, Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc., Breckenridge, CO (2007)

• “Watching and attracting birds in central Illinois.” AG Edwards & Sons Outdoor Lecture Series,

            Maroa, IL (2007)

• “Making the backyard safer for birds.” West End Neighborhood Association, Decatur, IL (2007)
• “Attracting birds to your backyard.” Decatur Breakfast Optimist Club, Decatur, IL (2007)
• “PROJECT WILDBIRD – Food and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and

           Canada.”  Wild Bird Feeding Industry, San Diego, CA (2006)

• “Window-bird collisions and factors influencing their frequency at Millikin University in Decatur,

            Illinois.”  Decatur Audubon Society, Decatur, IL (2006)

• “Enhancing the bird feeding experience: an invitation to participate in two North America studies

            on wild bird feeding.”  Champaign County Audubon Society, Urbana, IL (2006)

• “Industry Panel.” Birdwatch America, Atlanta, GA (2006)
• “Enhancing the bird feeding experience – A summary of two North American studies.” Annual

            Convention, Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc., Atlanta, GA (2006)

• “Historical changes in water quality and the impact of urbanization in the Fox River watershed in

            northeast Illinois.” Friends of the Fox River, Yorkville, IL (2005)

• “PROJECT WILDBIRD.” Wild Bird Feeding Industry, Orlando, FL (2005)
• “Attracting birds to your backyard.” Sertoma, Decatur, IL (2005)
• “Environmental Issues Forum – Backyard Bird Feeding.” Audubon Society of Western

            Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA (2005)

• " Seed and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and Canada.” BirdWatch America, Atlanta, GA (2005)
• " West Nile virus and its impact on North American and Illinois bird populations." Will County Audubon Society, Joliet, IL (2004).
• " The need for a holistic approach to decisions affecting the Fox River watershed." Lions Club, Aurora, IL (2004).
• " A case study in evolution: West Nile virus and its impact on North American bird populations." State Microscopical Society of Illinois, Chicago, IL (2003).
• " Watching and feeding birds in central Iowa." Special Lecture, The Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA (2000).
• " Bird communities in a fragmented landscape." Management Team Meeting, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Jackson, MS (1995).
  

Seminars

• “Turning a hobby into science – over 10 years of scientific study on wild bird feeding.”

  Departmental Seminar, Millikin University, Decatur, IL (2005).

• " The condition of the Fox River and its effects on quality of life.” Lifetime Learning Institute, Waubonsee Community College, North Aurora, IL (2005).
• " Turning a hobby into science – over 10 years of scientific study on wild bird feeding.” Departmental Seminar, Millikin University, Decatur, IL (2005).
• " The need for a holistic approach to decisions affecting the Fox River watershed.” Lifetime Learning Institute, Waubonsee Community College, North Aurora, IL (2004).
• " Preparing for graduate school in biology." Departmental Seminar, Aurora University, Aurora, IL (2003).
• " The elements of a good scientific professional presentation." Departmental Seminar, Aurora University, Aurora, IL (2000).
• " The influence of habitat features on grassland birds nesting in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota." Departmental Seminar, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (2000).
• " Sharing our love of college teaching: a community forum." Departmental Seminar, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (1999).
• " Iowa Winter Feeder Survey." Spring Meeting, Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Centerville, IA (1999).
• " Turning a hobby into science: the use of bird feeders for scientific research." Departmental Seminar, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (1996).
• " The seasonal influence of habitat features on bird communities in a forest-dominated landscape." Departmental Seminar, Iowa State University, Ames, IA (1996).
• " Bird communities in a fragmented landscape." Departmental Seminar, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (1995).

Professional Meetings

• “Integrating the scholarship of teaching and research: a study of bird-window collisions at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.” Millikin Interdisciplinary Faculty Conference, Decatur, IL (2008)
• “Bird-window collisions and factors influencing their frequency at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.” Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Madison, WI (2007) [Poster]
• “Integrating the scholarship of teaching and research: a case study examining wild bird food preferences at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois” Association of College and University Biology Educators, Dubuque, IA (2007) [Poster]
• “An examination of population trends and cause of injury in central Illinois raptor species admitted to the Illinois Raptor Center in Decatur, Illinois from 1995-2006.” Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Springfield, IL (2007) [Poster]
• “PROJECT WILDBIRD: Food and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and Canada.” Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Springfield, IL (2007) [Poster]
• “Using scavenging rates and searcher efficiency to refine estimates of the number of bird-window collisions at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Springfield, IL (2007) [Poster]
• “PROJECT WILDBIRD: Involving volunteers to examine feeding preferences of birds.” Bird Conservation through Education, Austin, TX (2007)
• “PROJECT PREVENT COLLISION: A service-learning approach.” Bird Conservation through Education, Austin, TX (2007)
• “Integrating the scholarship of teaching and research: a study of window-bird collisions at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.”  Association of College and University Biology Educators, Decatur, IL (2006).
• “Window-bird collisions and factors influencing their frequency at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.”  Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Chicago, IL (2006) [Poster] (Poster won best undergraduate poster in the zoology division)
• " Window-bird collisions and factors influencing their frequency at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.” Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Galesburg, IL (2005)
• " Historical changes in water quality and the role of urbanization in the Fox River watershed in northeast Illinois.” Illinois State Academy of Science Meeting, Galesburg, IL (2005)
• " Window-bird collisions and factors influencing their frequency at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.” Birds and Buildings Conference, Chicago, IL (2005).
• " The need for a holistic approach to decisions affecting the Fox River watershed.” Natural Areas Conference, Chicago, IL (2004).
• " The effect of tube width on bird abundance at feeders." Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Charleston, IL (2004). [Poster]
• " The effects of color and design on bird abundance at feeders." Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Charleston, IL (2004). [Poster]
• " The effects of distance to cover and house on bird abundance at feeders." Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Charleston, IL (2004). [Poster]
• " Bird abundance at feeders increases with decreasing distance to cover and increasing distance from housing" American Ornithologists' Union, Urbana-Champaign, IL (2003). [Poster]
• " A collaborative investigation of water quality in the Fox River and Waubonsee Creek in northeastern Illinois" Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Normal, IL (2003). [Poster]
• " The effect of distance to house on bird abundance at feeders in northeastern Illinois" Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Normal, IL (2003). [Poster]
• " The effect of temperature on abundance and food choice of birds at feeders in northeastern Illinois" Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Normal, IL (2003). [Poster]
• " The effects of distance to vegetation on bird abundance at feeders." Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Edwardsville, IL (2002). [Poster]
• " The effects of temperature on seed choice by birds that use feeders." Illinois State Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Edwardsville, IL (2002). [Poster]
• " Factors influencing the occurrence of birds that use feeders in Iowa." Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, IA (2001). [Poster]
• " Effects of landscape composition, field size, and edges on nest success of ducks." Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, MN (2000).
• " The effects of landscape composition, field size, and edges on the nest success of ducks in central North Dakota." IWWR 1999 Student Staff Workshop, Ducks Unlimited, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1999).
• " Differences in landscape composition affect predator movement patterns and nest success of ducks in central North Dakota." Ecological Society of America, Spokane, WA (1999).
• " Landscape context may affect area sensitivity of grassland birds." ISU-AE/NRCS Workshop, Ames, IA (1999).
• " Landscape composition influences the relationship between probability of occurrence of grassland birds and field size." Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Cincinnati, OH (1998).
• " The relationship between probability of occurrence of grassland birds and field size depends on landscape composition." North American Ornithological Conference, St. Louis, MO (1998).
• " The relationship between the relative abundance of grassland birds and field size depends on landscape composition." United States Regional Association - International Association for Landscape Ecology, East Lansing, MI (1998).
• " Are grassland birds area-sensitive? - A test of the variable area-sensitivity hypothesis." Wildlife Society, Snowmass, CO (1997). [Poster]
• " Influence of landscape features on distribution, abundance, and nest success of grassland birds breeding in the prairie pothole region of North Dakota." IWWR 1997 Student Staff Workshop, Ducks Unlimited, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1997).
• " The seasonal influence of habitat features on bird communities in a forest-dominated landscape." Wildlife Society, Cincinnati, OH (1996). [Poster]
• " Successional stage, patch size, and unpaved roads influence winter bird communities in a forest-dominated landscape." American Ornithologists' Union, Boise, ID (1996).
• " Successional stage and patch size influence winter bird communities in a fragmented landscape." Mississippi Chapter, Wildlife Society, Starkville, MS (1995).
• " The influence of patch characteristics on summer bird community structure in a fragmented landscape." American Ornithologists' Union, Cincinnati, OH (1995).
• " Interaction between timber age and forest type influences summer bird communities." Society for Conservation Biology, Fort Collins, CO (1995).
• " Habitat characteristics near nestboxes affect nesting success of the eastern bluebird and nestbox selection by interspecific competitors." North American Ornithological Conference, Missoula, MT (1994). [Poster]
• " Perching position affects number of feeding attempts and food consumption by the American goldfinch." Midwest Animal Behavior Conference, Carbondale, IL (1994). [Poster]
• " Perching position affects number of feeding attempts and food consumption by the American goldfinch." Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (1994). [Poster]
• " An examination of bird species richness and diversity at the J. H. Barrow Field Station in northeast Ohio." Ohio Academy of Science, Youngstown, OH (1993). [Poster]
• " The effects of competition and habitat on the number of nesting attempts by the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) in northeast Ohio." Ohio Academy of Science, Youngstown, OH (1993). [Poster]
• " A comparison of birds congregating at artificial feeding stations during the summer and winter months." Third Biology Symposium, Hiram College, Hiram, OH (1992).