Collections Manager for Ornithology

brian.oshea@naturalsciences.org
[2]919.707.9935

Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, 2009
B.A., Biology, Reed College, 1998

Research Interests

I am interested in many aspects of the ecology and conservation of birds, particularly tropical forest passerines.  I am especially interested in bird vocalizations, long-term site monitoring, and the factors determining habitat occupancy by birds.  My main area of expertise is the Guiana Shield in northeastern South America, one of the largest intact blocks of tropical lowland forest remaining on Earth.  Much of my recent work has been in Suriname, where I partner with local students, NGOs, and consultancies to provide a scientific foundation for ongoing baseline survey work in remote areas of the country's interior.

In North Carolina, I am responsible for the growth and maintenance of the museum's collections of avian research specimens, with the goal of enhancing their relevance to modern research questions. I am also involved with a variety of mark-recapture and radio-tracking studies of several bird species with restricted breeding distributions in the state, including the Painted Bunting and Black-throated Green Warbler.  

Selected Publications

O’Shea, B.J., L.E. Alonso, and T.H. Larsen, eds. 2011.  A rapid biological assessment of the Kwamalasamutu region, southwestern Suriname.  RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 43.  Conservation International, Arlington VA.

O’Shea, B.J., C.M. Milensky, S. Claramunt, B.K. Schmidt, C.A. Gebhard, C.G. Schmitt, and K.T. Erskine. 2007.  New records for Guyana, with description of the voice of Roraiman Nightjar (Caprimulgus whitelyi). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 127:118-128.

O’Shea, B.J., and O. Ottema. 2007.  Environmental and social impact assessment for the proposed Bakhuis bauxite mining project.  Specialist study: Ornithology. SRK Consulting, Cape Town, South Africa.

O’Shea, B.J. 2005. Notes on birds of the Sipaliwini savanna and other localities in southern Suriname, with six new species for the country.  Ornitología Neotropical 16:361-370.

Komar, O., B.J. O’Shea, A.T. Peterson, and A.G. Navarro-Sigüenza. 2005. Evidence of latitudinal sexual segregation among Neotropical migratory birds wintering in Mexico.  Auk 122:938-948.