Department of Zoology - William J. Bleier

Department of Zoology, North Dakota State University

Dr. William J. Bleier Department of Zoology North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota 58105-5517 tel: (701)231-8421 fax: (701)231-7149 Office: Stevens 218 William.Bleier@ndsu.nodak.edu B.A. in Zoology, University of Texas at Austin - 1969 M.S. in Zoology, Texas Tech University - 1971 Ph.D. in Zoology, Texas Tech University - 1975 Graduate Advisor:Dr. Robert J. Baker
	Dr. Robert J. Baker and Dr. William J. Bleier

Research Interests:

As you can see from perusing the selected publications below, my research interests have evolved from reproduction and systematics and evolution of mammals to avian ecology. Currently, my students and I conduct research on a variety of topics which are related to developing methods to reduce avian (especially blackbird) damage to commercial sunflower production. During some years, this damage may exceed 10 million dollars in North Dakota and is the most difficult problem (other than market price) that many sunflower producers face. Blackbirds also damage corn in the Midwest and rice in the east Texas and southern Louisiana; thus, our research potentially aids with developing methods to protect crops other than sunflowers.

Selected Publications:

Baker, R. J. and W. J. Bleier. 1971. Karyotypes of bats of the subfamily Carolliinae (Mammalia, Phyllostomatidae) and their evolutionary implication. Experientia 27:220-222.

Burns, J. M., R. J. Baker and W. J. Bleier. 1972. Hormonal control of "delayed development" in Macrotus waterhousii. I. Changes in plasma during pregnancy and lactation. General and Comparative Endocrinology 18:54-58.

Jones, J. K., Jr. and W. J. Bleier. 1974. Sanborn's long-tongued bat, Leptonycteris sanborni, in El Salvador. Mammalia 38:144-145.

Bleier, W. J. 1975. Crystalline structure in the ova and early embryological stages in a leaf-nosed bat, Macrotus californicus. Journal of Mammalogy 56:235-238.

Bleier, W. J. 1975. Early embryology and implantation in the California leaf-nosed bat, Macrotus californicus. The Anatomical Record 182:237-254.

Baker, R. J., W. J. Bleier and W. R. Atchley. 1975. Studies of a contact zone between karyotypically characterized taxa of Uroderma bilobatum (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Systematic Zoology 24:133-142.

Lu, S. and W. J. Bleier. 1981. Renal morphology of Macrotus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomatidae). Journal of Mammalogy 62:181-182.

Bleier, W. J. and M. Ehteshami. 1981. Ovulation following unilateral ovariectomy in the California leaf-nosed bat (Macrotus californicus). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 63:181-183.

Carter, F. D. and W. J. Bleier. 1988. Sequential multiple ovulations in Macrotus californicus. Journal of Mammalogy 69:386-388.

Vanek, J. A., W. J. Bleier, D. A. Whited and A. D. Alstad. 1988. Comparison of G-banded chromosomes from clinically normal lambs and lambs affected with ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (spider syndrome). American Journal of Veterinary Research 49:1164-1168.

Twedt, D. J., W. J. Bleier and G. M. Linz. 1991. Geographic and temporal variation in the diet of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. The Condor 93:975-986.

Twedt, D. J., W. J. Bleier and G. M. Linz. 1992. Genetic variation in Yellow-headed Blackbirds from the Northern Great Plains. Canadian Journal of Zoology 70:2280-2282.

Homan, H. J., G. M. Linz, W. J. Bleier, and R. B. Carlson. 1994. Dietary comparisons of adult male common grackles, red-winged blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds in northcentral North Dakota. The Prairie Naturalist 26:273-281.

Linz, G. M., D. L. Bergman, D. C. Blixt, and W. J. Bleier. 1994. Response of black terns (Chlidonias niger) to glyphosate-induced habitat alterations on wetlands. Colonial Waterbirds 17:160-167.

Nelms, C. O., W. J. Bleier, D. L. Otis, and G. M. Linz. 1994. Population estimates of breeding blackbirds in North Dakota, 1967, 1981-82 and 1990. The American Midland Naturalist 132:256-263.

Twedt, D. J., W. J. Bleier and G. M. Linz. 1994. Geographic variation in Yellow-headed Blackbirds from the Northern Great Plains. The Condor 96:1030-1036.

Linz, G. M., L. A. Mendoza, D. L. Bergman, and W. J. Bleier. 1995. Preferences of three blackbird species for sunflower meats, cracked corn, and brown rice. Crop Protection 14:375-378.

Linz, G. M., D. C. Blixt, D. L. Bergman, and W. J. Bleier. 1996. Responses of red-winged blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds and marsh wrens to glyphosate-induced alterations in cattail density. Journal of Field Ornithology 67:167-176.

Linz, G. M., D. C. Blixt, D. L. Bergman, and W. J. Bleier. 1996. Response of ducks to glyphosate-induced habitat alterations in wetlands. Wetlands 16:38-44.

Homan, H. J., G. M. Linz, W. J. Bleier, and R. B. Carlson. 1996. Colony-site and nest-site use by Common Grackles in North Dakota. The Wilson Bulletin 108:104-114.

Linz, G. M., H. J. Homan, and W. J. Bleier. 1997. Estimating survival of song bird carcasses in crops and woodlots. The Prairie Naturalist 29:7-14.

Linz, G. M., W. J. Bleier, J. D. Overland and H. J. Homan. 1999. Response of invertebrates to glyphosate-induced habitat alterations in wetlands. Wetlands 19(1):220-227

Nelms, C.O., D.L. Otis, G.M. Linz, and W.J. Bleier. 1999. Cluster sampling to estimate breeding blackbird populations in North Dakota. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27:931-937.

Homan, H. J., G. M. Linz, and W. J. Bleier. 2000. Winter habitat use and survival of female ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in southeastern North Dakota. American Midland Naturalist 143(2):463-480.

Grants:

During the last ten years, funding for my research on reducing sunflower damage caused by blackbirds has exceeded one million dollars. This fiscal year I am funded by the National Wildlife Research Center (a division within Wildlife Services of the USDA/APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) for approximately $115,000.

Current Students:

Ph.D. Students
Richard S. Sawin -	Reproductive Ecology of Red-winged Blackbirds in Central North Dakota
Masters Students
Dionn Schaaf -	Avian Use of Sunflower Fields During Fall Migration
Brian Safratowich -	Redwing reproduction in roadside ditches
Ryan Wimberly -	Blackbird population trends in ND

Summary of "Blackbird" Graduate Students from the Department of Zoology at NDSU

NAME	DEGREE	DATE	THESIS/DISSERTATION TITLE OR TOPIC	CURRENT POSITION
George M. Linz	Ph.D.	1982	Molt, Food Habits, and Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism of Red-winged Blackbirds in Cass County, North Dakota	Wildlife Biologist/WS
Mah Jeng	Ph.D.	1989	Feeding Behavior of Red-winged Blackbirds on Sunflowers with Different Bird-resistant Features	Biomedical Statistician
Daniet J. Twedt	Ph.D.	1990	Diet, Molt, and Geographic Variation of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Xanthocephaslus xanthocephalus	Wildlife Biologist/USGS
Curtis O. Nelms	M.S.	1991	Population Estimates and Comparison of Sampling Methods of Breeding Blackbirds in North Dakota	Deceased
H. Jeffrey Homan	M.S.	1992	Nest-site Selection by Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) in Benson County, North Dakota	Wildlife Biologist/WS
Dage C. Blixt	M.S.	1993	Effects of Glyphosate-induced Alterations on Birds, Using Wetlands	Wildlife Biologist/WS
John D. Overland	M.S.	1994	Effects of Glyphosate-induced Changes in Wetland Vegetation on Aquatic Invertebrates and Water Quality	Owner/Minnesota Environmental Consulting
Curtis P. McMurl	M.S.	1995	Response of Breeding Waterfowl and Broods to Herbicide-treated Wetlands	Wildlife Biologist/USGS
Amy Barras	M.S.	1996	Evaluation of Spring Baiting with an Avicide, DRC-1339, and Habitat Preferences of Migratory Blackbirds	Biological Technician/WS
Mary Jo Kenyon	M.S.	1996	Nontarget Avian Risks Associated with the Avicide DRC-1339	Lecturer/Moorhead State University
Gregg A. Knutsen	M.S.	1998	Avian Use of Rice-baited and Unbaited Stubble Fields during Spring Migration in South Dakota	Biologist/USFWS
H. Jeffrey Homan	Ph.D.	1999	Ecology of Ring-necked Pheasant in Southeastern North Dakota	Wildlife Biologist/WS
Richard M. Kostecke	M.S.	1999	Evaluation of Risks of Secondary Poisoning to Birds and Mammals following the Use of a Pesticide	Graduate Student/Texas Tech.
Manya R. Harsch	M.S.	1999	Geographic Variation of Red-winged Blackbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region	Biostatistician/UMN - School of Dentistry
Richard S. Sawin	M.S.	1999	Habitat Characteristics of Spring Blackbird Roosts in Eastern South Dakota	Graduate Student / NDSU
Mark W. Lutman	M.S.	2000	Location and Habitat Characteristics of Late-Summer Blackbird Roosts in the Sunflower-Growing Region of North Dakota	Wildlife Biologist/WS

Current Teaching Responsibilities:

Mammalogy

Vertebrate Histology

Awards:

1986 Outstanding Campus Communicator, NDSU.

1990 Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award

1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998 Mortar Board Preferred Professor

1995 Blue Key Distinguished Educator Award

1998 Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Professor Award

Last Modified:October 25, 2001
E-mail: W.J. Bleier <William.Bleier@ndsu.nodak.edu>
Published by Department of Biological Sciences