Contact details:

Department of Botany & Zoology
University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1
Matieland 7602
South Africa

Tel: +27 21 808-3236
Fax: +27 21 808-2405
E-mail: lwillems@sun.ac.za

Behavioural Ecology

Mhairi McFarlane

PhD: Sexual selection in Cape Sugarbirds Promerops cafer

Starting date: 1 st October 2002

Project summary:

I am working on sexual selection in Cape sugarbirds Promerops cafer , under the supervision of Dr Matthew Evans ( Exeter University , UK ) and Prof Michael Cherry (Stellenbosch University , South Africa ). Specifically, I am studying the effect of male tail length on extra pair paternity in both a natural and an experimental context. In addition, I am looking at the effects of the long, graduated tail on flight performance.

Selected Experience and Interests:

I have a first class Honours Ecology degree from Stirling University , UK .

Field Assistant/ Ecologist: Chatham Islands Threatened Species Programme , New Zealand : 4 weeks Feb/Mar 2002, 3 weeks Aug/ Sept 2002.

Field Assistant: Wildlife & Tourism Chamois Project, Wengen , Switzerland : 4 weeks Jan 2002.

Field Assistant: Soay Sheep Project, St Kilda , Scotland : 6 weeks Oct/Dec 2001.

Field Assistant: The Nature Conservancy, Lake Wales Ridge , Florida , USA .  3 weeks Jan 2000.

Voluntary Ornithologist: S'Albufera de Mallorca bird reserve, Majorca , Spain .  5 weeks Jan 1999, 4 weeks Aug/Sep 1999, 4 weeks Aug/Sep 2000.

Voluntary Warden, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve, Scotland .  3 weeks Aug/ Sep 1998.

I am a keen hillwalker, skier and birdwatcher.

 

Contact details:

Stellenbosch University

Department of Botany and Zoology

Private Bag X1

Matieland 7602

South Africa

Tel: +27 21 808 2726

Fax: +27 21 808 2405

Mail/: mcfarlane@sun.ac.za