C.V.
David Vander Pluym

EDUCATION

PhD     Louisiana State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences                    Aug. 2020 -
Present
           Advisor: Dr. Nicholas A. Mason

BS       University of California Santa Cruz                                        Sept. 2001 – March 2008

PUBLICATIONS

12) Ball L, Rodríguez-Machado S, Paredes-Burneo D, Rutledge S, Boyd DA, Vander        Pluym D, Babb-Biernacki S, Chipps AS, Öztürk RÇ, Terzi Y, Chakrabarty P. 2025. What ‘unexplored’ means: mapping regions with digitized natural history records to look for ‘biodiversity blindspots’. PeerJ 13:e18511 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.18511

 

11) Vander Pluym, D., & Mason, N. A. 2024. Toward a comparative framework for studies of altitudinal migration. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e70240. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70240

 

10) Hough, E. R., Smith, D. F., and Vander Pluym, D. 2022. Gynacantha helenga (Helen's Darner) and G. nervosa (Twilight Darner) in northwest México. Argia 34: 32-33

 

9) Flesch, A. D., Boone, J., Vander Pluym, D., and Sabin L. B. 2021. Factors influencing detectability and responses of Elf Owls to playback of conspecific vocalizations. Journal of Field Ornithology.

​

8) Vander Pluym, D. 2020. First record of Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis in Chile. Cotinga 42:114

 

7) Vander Pluym, D. 2019. The Aleutian Cackling Goose in Arizona. Western Birds 50:142-149

 

6) Rosenberg, G. H., Vander Pluym, D., and Halsey, L. 2019. Arizona Bird Committee report, 2015-2017 records. Western Birds 50:150-175

 

5) Vander Pluym, D., and Sterling, J. 2019. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata in Argentina: first record for Argentina and South America. Cotinga 41:41-43.

 

4) Vander Pluym, D., and Harter, L. B. 2018. First record of the Common Grackle from Sonora. Western Birds 49:231-233.

 

3) Rosenberg, G. H., Radamaker, K., and Vander Pluym, D. 2017. Arizona Bird Committee report, 2010-2014 records. Western Birds 48:74-112.

 

2) Vander Pluym, D. 2016. A kleptoparasitic chase by Brown Pelicans on a Western Gull. Western Birds 47: 170-172.

 

1) Fletcher, D., Vander Pluym, D., Preston, M., and Leist, A. 2016. Canyon Wrens breeding in desert riparian vegetation: First records in a novel habitat. Western Birds 47: 50-57.

​​

NON-REFEREED 

2) Vander Pluym, D. 2015. Review of Field Guide to Birds of the Northern California Coast by Rich Stallcup and Jules Evens. Western Birds 46: 83-86.

 

1) Vander Pluym, D. 2011. Review of Molt in North American Birds by Steve N. G. Howell and Feather-watching: An Interactive CD Guide for Studying Birds in the field by Lisa Hug. Western Birds 42: 51-53

​​

PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS

10) Vander Pluym, D. and Mason, N. A. 2025. (Talk). Diversification of a widespread Neotropical partial altitudinal migrant, Myioborus miniatus. AOS Annual Meeting, St. Louis, Mo.

​

9) Vander Pluym, D. and Mason, N. A. 2025. (Talk). Diversification of a widespread Neotropical partial altitudinal migrant, Myioborus miniatus. Evolution Annual Meeting, Athens, Ga. 

 

8) Vander Pluym, D. and Mason, N. A. 2022. (Poster). The role of altitudinal migration in tropical diversification and speciation. American Ornithological Society Conference.

 

7) Vander Pluym, D. 2018.  (Talk). The Aleutian Cackling Goose in Arizona. Arizona Field Ornithologists, Annual Meeting, Ajo, AZ.

 

6) Vander Pluym, D., and Harter, L. B. 2018.  (Talk). The Mexican Duck in the Lower Colorado River Valley and California: Status and notes on identification and taxonomy. Western Field Ornithologists, Annual Conference, Ventura, CA.

 

5) Boone, J., Flesch, A.D., and Vander Pluym, D. 2017. (Talk).  Distribution and habitat of Elf Owls in riparian environments in Arizona. Arizona Field Ornithologists, Annual Meeting, Cottonwood, AZ and Colorado River Terrestrial and Riparian Meeting, Laughlin, NV.

 

4) Vander Pluym, D. 2016. (Talk). A Look at the Seabirds of Arizona. Arizona Field Ornithologists, Annual Meeting, Yuma, AZ.

 

3) Vander Pluym, D. 2015. (Talk). A Survey of Spring Migration at Lake Havasu with an Emphasis on Waterbirds. Colorado River Terrestrial and Riparian Meeting, Laughlin, NV.

 

2) Vander Pluym, D. 2014. (Talk). A Survey of Spring Migration at Lake Havasu with an Emphasis on Waterbirds. Arizona Field Ornithologists, Annual Meeting, Globe-Miami, AZ.

 

1) Vander Pluym, D. and Harter, L. B. 2011. (Talk). Mexican Ducks in Arizona: An Overview of Identification and Distribution. Arizona Field Ornithologists, Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.

​​​

CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE

Ornithology, Curatorial Assistant, LSU Museum of Natural Science September 2020 – May 2021, August 2023-December 2024.

Ornithology and entomology, Curatorial Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz January – June and September – December 2004.

​

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Teaching Assistant
Principles of Genetics. BIOL 2153. Fall 2021 and 2022.

Vertebrate Physiology Lab. BIOL 4161. Spring 2022

Ornithology. BIOL 4142, Spring 2023, Spring 2025

​

GRANTS AND AWARDS

2025. Louisiana State University, Thomas and Susan Shirley Superior Graduate Student Scholarship, $2000. 

2025 American Ornithological Society Caregiver Travel Grant. $2000

2025. American Ornithological Society Travel Grant. $150

2024. Louisiana State University, T. Vinton Homes Award. $1500. 
2022. Society of Systematic Biologists. $3000. 

2022. American Ornithological Society Research Grant. $2500.

2022. Frank Chapman Memorial Fund. $1500. 2022.

2013 Arizona Field Ornithologists. Gale Monson Research Grants. $2000.

​

WORKSHOPS

Vander Pluym, D. and Harter, L. B. October 2018. Gull Identification. Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico.

Halterman M., Vander Pluym, D. and Harter, L. B. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Henderson, Nevada.

​

MUSEUM EXPEDITIONS

COSTA RICA; Led targeted collecting of Myioborus miniatus (10 birds) , April 2025

PERU; offshore waters off Pucasana, Joint LSUMZ/CORBIDI expedition (16 birds), October 2024 (2 days), co led with Andre Moncrieff

PERU; Cordillera Azul, Joint LSUMZ/CORBIDI expedition (1061 birds), June-July 2024

​​

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Vendor for USFWS Law Enforcement August 2021

Assisted Special Agent with identification of seized evidence. 

​

Crew Leader and field technician for Great Basin Bird Observatory seasonally 2011-2020

Crew leader for a riparian bird monitoring project detectability and habitat/territory study on Elf Owl use of riparian zones in Arizona to improve survey methods and understand habitat use within territories for the Bureau of Reclamation Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. Duties included managing small crew, training crews, data management and proofing, trail clearing and scouting locations in rugged terrain across Arizona and along the Colorado River in California and Nevada. Conducted territory mapping and nest searching of riparian breeding birds, including Elf Owls at night, surveys using IMBCR protocol across Arizona, vegetative surveys. Specific to the Elf Owl project included help with protocol and report writing, using call playback to survey at night, banding and radio telemetry at night, and using cameras to collect nest data.

 

Avian Field Technician for Southern Sierra Research Station/Parametrix June-August 2014, late July-August 2012

Helped with a study on Yellow-billed Cuckoos along the Lower Colorado River. Duties included helping with mist netting, nest searching/monitoring, telemetry, re sighting color bands, surveying, call playback, and vegetation surveys. 

 

Editor Avian Spectrum DVD series January – November 2014

Reviewed for accuracy DVD series on bird natural history and identification.

 

Conduct my own research on spring migration at Lake Havasu thru an Arizona Field Ornithologist Grant March – May 2014

Conducted stationary counts of waterbirds on Lake Havasu to look at use of the lake during spring migration. Monitored nocturnal migrants using a remote field recorder.

 

Seabird and Marine Mammal Spotter for a study under Dick Veit at the City of New York University October 2012

Conducted seabird and marine mammal transect surveys on board a NOAA vessel in the Gulf of Maine for a density study. 

 

Biologist with NOREAS Inc September 2012

Conducted transect and single point avian surveys at a solar development site, near Blythe California.

 

Volunteer Nature Guide for Rara Avis Ecological Reserve, Costa Rica September 2010

Trail guide for a remote rainforest lodge and reserve.  Duties included guiding, helping customers, and trail maintenance. 

 

Avian Field Technician for Klamath Bird Observatory May – July 2010

Surveyed nesting colonial waterbirds in southeast Oregon as part of a major effort to quantify population sizes of certain species.  Surveyed by 4wd vehicle, hiking, wading, airboat, and kayak.  Work sometimes involved very long days in the field, with variable weather conditions.  Since sites were located both on public and private lands, a critical component of this position was communication with private landowners to gain permission to survey.  Extensive collaboration with Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. 

 

Volunteer Naturalist/Lecturer for Shearwater Journey’s Antarctica Charter January 2010

Chartered tour of the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica.  Duties included creating and presenting lectures, identifying birds and marine mammals, acting shoreman, and tour guide. 

 

Avian Field Technician for a Master’s Study at Ohio State University August – October 2009

Masters study under student Erin Cashion, looking at condition of fall migrants and habitat use in different aged forest.  Primary duties included mist netting, transect surveys, insect sampling, and data entry. 

 

Field Technician for Oregon State University May 2009 – June 2009

Work was for a study examining the long term effects of thinning on coniferous forests in Northern Oregon.  Primary duties included point counts, mist netting, color banding, and bleeding (for stress hormones) Swainson’s Thrushes.  Other duties included nest searching, vegetation sampling, and data entry.  

 

Volunteer Field Assistant for a Postdoctoral study under Dr Alice Boyle at the Western Ontario University – February – April 2009 and March – April 2010

Participated in a field study on altitudinal migration at Rara Avis, Costa Rica.  Duties included general mist netting and banding, in addition to the focal work on White-ruffed Manakins.  Primary duties included target netting and color banding Manakins, toenail sampling, resighting color banded birds, lek observation, and lek searching.  Other duties included trail maintenance and data entry. 

 

Biologist for Maine Coastal Islands NWR – May 2008 – July 2008

Maintaining and monitoring a live on seabird restoration island. Work with eiders, terns, storm-petrels, gulls and alcids.  Duties included banding alcids, resighting, nest searching, chick growth measurements, and predator control.  Gun training with a .22 rifle.

 

Research Technician for Avian Cognition Laboratory, Northern Arizona University – March-May 2008

 

Biologist with Tetra Tech EMI, Fall –November 2007-February 2008

Work was at Ventura County Naval Bases and included surveying for Federally Endangered Snowy Plovers and Brown Pelicans, general bird surveys, bird banding (mist nets and raptor banding), and creating a rough draft bird checklist for Point Mugu Naval Air Station.​

​

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Bioinformatics for phylogenetics, population genetics, and high-throughput sequencing datasets.

• Modern molecular wet lab techniques for phylogenetics and population genetics

• High level bird identification skills. With experience throughout the continental United States, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, and Turkey.

• Experience with bird mist netting (extracted ~1000 and processed ~800), resighting color banded birds, small mammal live trapping, search techniques for terrestrial and aquatic reptiles and amphibians, and vegetation sampling.

• Bird banding sub-permitted under Master Bander Elizabeth Ammon for banding and using glue on radio telemetry of Elf Owls. 2016

• Experienced in using telemetry to follow birds, including at night.

• Experience with bleeding birds from the brachial vein and toenails.

• Bird specimen collection, preparations (~250), and curation.

• Experience with Microsoft Office programs, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with R, BASH, QGIS, and ESRI.

• Proficient in the use of GPS, compass, topographical maps, machete, and four-wheel drive vehicles.

• Experienced training, data management, scheduling, and collaborating with partners as part of crew leader/supervisor experience.

• Experience with small motorized and unmotorized watercraft.

• Experience with small firearms.