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National Wildlife Research Center NWRC) |
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Dr. George M. Linz, |
Dr. George M. Linz is the Field Station and Project Leader for the North Dakota Field Station at the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC). He earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from North Dakota State University where he studied the biology of red-winged blackbirds in relation to managing bird damage to ripening sunflower in North Dakota. After a 2 ½ year postdoctoral appointment at Colorado State University, Dr. Linz worked two years as a research wildlife biologist and project leader for the Denver Wildlife Research Center (now National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO) in Lakewood, CO. While there, he continued to research issues associated with blackbird damage to sunflower.
In March 1989, he was assigned to the newly established North Dakota Field Station located on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. In 1996, the station was moved to Bismarck, North Dakota and co-located with North Dakota Wildlife Services. The synergy between North Dakota Wildlife Services, the National Sunflower Association, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University has led to extraordinary research outputs.
Dr. Linz has led multiple studies in basic and applied wildlife biology, including (1) investigations of common raven impacts on the endangered California Least Tern at Camp Pendleton in southern California, (2) prevalence of avian-borne diseases in dairies and feedlots, (3) use of aquatic herbicides for altering roost habitat favored by blackbirds in North Dakota, (4) migration patterns of blackbirds in relation to sunflower damage, and (5) use of alternative feeding sites (wildlife conservation sunflower plots) for reducing blackbird damage to crops. Additionally, Dr. Linz’s expertise on the biology of blackbirds has led to collaboration with international research universities on basic studies related to evolution of blackbirds.
Additionally, Dr. Linz is an adjunct professor of zoology at North Dakota State University where he has served as Study Director and Major Advisor or Co-advisor for 30 graduate student studies.
Expertise Keywords
Agriculture, avian diseases, blackbirds, decoy crops, starlings, sunflower, wildlife conservation sunflower plots
Taxonomic Groups of Interest
Red-winged blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds, common grackles
Current Research
- Use of Christmas Bird Counts and spatial analysis for winter roost sites
- Quantifying blackbird damage to ripening sunflower and corn
- Use of repellents to reduce blackbird damage
Products/Techniques Developed or Tested
- Use of glyphosate for modifying blackbird roost habitat
- Use of anthraquinone for thwarting feeding blackbirds
- Use of wildlife conservation sunflower plots for reducing blackbird damage to sunflower
- Use of DRC-1339 rice baiting to reduce migrating populations of blackbirds
Education
- Ph.D., North Dakota State University, Zoology
- M.S., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Biology
- B.S., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Biology
Previous Positions
- Research Associate, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (1984-1987)
- Research Wildlife Biologist & Project Leader, Denver Wildlife Research Center, Lakewood, CO (1987 to 1989)
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo (1989 to present)
- Research Wildlife Biologist & North Dakota Field Station Leader, National Wildlife Research Center, Bismarck, ND
Contact Information
- Address: USDA/Wildlife Services, NWRC North Dakota Field Station, 2110 Miriam Circle, Suite B., Bismarck, ND, 58501
- Telephone: 701-250-4469 ext.3
- E-mail: George.M.Linz@aphis.usda.gov