MIXED-SPECIES FLOCKS
with DR. Allison Johnson:
How Bird Communities Extend Beyond Species Borders
JOIN US: Thursday, April 9, 7:00 PM, at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A St.
stream live: https://youtube.com/live/-Alppbk1G54?feature=share
Dr. Allison Johnson is a Research Assistant Professor in the
School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska~Lincoln.
Originally from Scottsbluff, Nebraska she developed her passion for birds early on,
inspired by her mentor, Paul Johnsgard, and the dedicated members
of the Scottsbluff Audubon Society, who helped introduce her to birding as a hobby.
Her interest in behavioral ecology took flight at the end of high school, when she began working as a field technician at Cedar Point Biological Station. There, she collaborated with Dr. Charles and Dr. Mary Bomberger Brown on research focused on cliff swallows. The experience proved formative, and she continued this work during her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Fascinated by how such small birds could maintain complex and dynamic social lives, she chose to pursue graduate research examining the evolution and ecological drivers of social behavior in birds.
For her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, Dr. Johnson expanded her research internationally. Each fall, she traveled to South Australia to study fairywrens—highly social, cooperative breeding birds that live in family groups. In these systems, young birds often delay dispersal and may remain in their natal groups for life.
While studying fairywrens, Dr. Johnson became increasingly interested in the broader social communities birds form, including interactions across species. In Nebraska, bird enthusiasts may observe this phenomenon in winter mixed-species flocks gathering at backyard feeders. In Australia, however, the resident study species does not migrate seasonally, allowing researchers to uncover the remarkable specificity of these cross-species relationships. Individual birds form extended social networks that include consistent members of other species—and they can recognize one another.
In her upcoming talk, Dr. Johnson will share the fascinating discoveries emerging from research on mixed-species flocking birds. From communication and territory stability to understanding how these partnerships may help birds adapt to a changing world, her work highlights the complexity of avian social systems. While she will spotlight her favorite Australian passerines, she will also weave in stories from a population of winter mixed-species flocking birds currently under study in Nebraska.
While studying fairywrens, Dr. Johnson became increasingly interested in the broader social communities birds form, including interactions across species. In Nebraska, bird enthusiasts may observe this phenomenon in winter mixed-species flocks gathering at backyard feeders. In Australia, however, the resident study species does not migrate seasonally, allowing researchers to uncover the remarkable specificity of these cross-species relationships. Individual birds form extended social networks that include consistent members of other species—and they can recognize one another.
In her upcoming talk, Dr. Johnson will share the fascinating discoveries emerging from research on mixed-species flocking birds. From communication and territory stability to understanding how these partnerships may help birds adapt to a changing world, her work highlights the complexity of avian social systems. While she will spotlight her favorite Australian passerines, she will also weave in stories from a population of winter mixed-species flocking birds currently under study in Nebraska.
JOIN US: Thursday, April 9, 7:00 PM, at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A St.
stream live: https://youtube.com/live/-Alppbk1G54?feature=share
The Board recently completed its biannual review of the Constitution and Bylaws and now turns to membership for your input.
You may access both the 2022 version and the 2025 version on Wachiska’s homepage – www.wachiskaaudubon.org. If you’d prefer a hard copy, call (402-486-4846) or email the office: office@wachiskaaudubon.org.
If you have any questions or comments about the edits, please email me at pella_t@yahoo.com.
An explanation of the revisions follows:
Constitution
*The purpose of the chapter and its relationship to the National Audubon Society was clarified.
*The chapter vision was added and reads – Wachiska Audubon Society’s vision is to share the experience and love for nature and help protect its diversity.
*In the event the chapter is dissolved, dispersion of assets was clarified.
Bylaws
*The election of officers and directors will still take place at the November general meeting. An annual meeting will be held in March to allow for a full and accurate report out of the previous year’s fiscal year activities and financials (Jan – Dec).
*Wachiska is now under contract with a CPA firm so duties of the treasurer and responsibilities for the annual budget were clarified. The Finance Committee’s authority was clarified to include oversight of the investment accounts.
*The authority of the Prairie Conservation Management Committee was clarified.
*The purpose of the Membership Committee was updated.
*The Nominating Committee will be replaced by a Nominating and Governance Committee to assist the board in identifying best practices, improve the nominating process, and participate in oversight of executive director performance.