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Kara Belinsky

BA, Biology, Skidmore College, 1998
PhD, Organismc and Evolutionary Biology, U. of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2008

Associate Professor
Department: Biology
Office: CSB 218
Phone: (845) 257-3748
E-mail: belinskk@newpaltz.edu

Career History & Promotions/Job Changes

Associate Professor, New Paltz 2019
Assistant Professor, New Paltz 2014-2018
Assistant Professor, Arcadia University, 2011-2013
Post-doctoral Fellowship in Biology, Texas Tech University, 2008-2011

Teaching Interests

I teach General Biology I lecture (fall), Animal Behavior (fall), Ornithology (spring), and Wildlife Biology (spring).

Research/Creative Activity

I study the behavior, ecology, and conservation of songbirds. My dissertation research focused on the evolution of plumage color and singing performance in two species of wood warblers (chestnut-sided and yellowthroat). I have also studied the singing behavior of a thrush species, the veery. Veeries sing acoustically complex songs, which feature multiple frequencies sung simultaneously. In order to understand how this language works, I record natural veery singing behavior and conduct playback experiments to test hypotheses about the function of specific songs and calls. Here at New Paltz, I have been studying how human development of the land (urbanization) affects wildlife, with a focus on birds. My students and I hope that from this we can learn how to create more bird-friendly campus, village, and world. This research includes studying birds at bird feeders and nest boxes (birdhouses), and capturing, banding and releasing wild birds in nearby forests. To learn more, check out my lab's Instagram account @newpaltzornithology.

Read about my current research:
On wildlife-friendly solar arrays: here and here
On how human development affects migratory birds: here
On the effects of off-trail hiking on montane birds: here

Publications

K. Belinsky, T. Ellick, and S. LaDeau. 2019. "Using a bird feeder network to explore the effects of suburban design on invasive and native birds". Avian Ecology and Conservation 14(2):2.

K. Belinsky, E. Keeling, and D. Snyder. 2019. "Bird communities at the suburban-rural interface: the role of low-intensity, small-scale urbanization" Urban Naturalist. N0. 28

K. Belinsky, K. Schmidt, and C. Nemes. 2015. “Two novel vocalizations are used by veeries (Catharus fuscescens) during agonistic interactions”. PloS One

K. Schmidt and K. Belinsky. 2013. “Singing in the dusk chorus: how veeries cope with the presence of owls”. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

C. Taff, D. Steinberger, C. Clark, K. Belinsky, H. Sacks, C. Freeman-Gallant, P. Dunn, L. Whittingham. 2012. "Multi-modal sexual selection in a warbler: plumage and song are related to different fitness components”. Animal Behaviour

K. Belinsky, J. Hogle, and K. Schmidt. 2012. “Veeries experience more varied acoustic competition during the dawn than the dusk chorus” Wilson Journal of Ornithology

B. Byers, K. Belinsky, and A. Bentley. 2010. “Independent cultural evolution of two song traditions in a population of chestnut-sided warblers”. American Naturalist

Certificates & Licenses

USGS Master Bird Bander

Committee Memberships & Professional Organizations

SUNY New Paltz Sustainability committee
SUNY New Platz Biodiversity Initiative
SUNY New Paltz Student Research Committee
UUP Women's Rights and Concerns Comittee