Related Links

Airport Wildlife Mitigation - Bird Identification

Improving Birdstrike Identification - excerpt from the 2003 Annual Report for the National Museum of Natural History, page 20 (pdf file).

Education

M.S., George Mason University (2002), Biology
B.S., Biology. George Mason University (1999), Biology
A.S., Columbus State College (1985), Veterinary Technology

Research Interests

The main focus of Marcy's work is in avian species identification from microscopic and whole-feather characters. This specialized work in wildlife forensics is particularly important for aviation industry personnel that deal with civil and military birdstrikes. This feather identification service has led to collaborations with scientists in the fields of Aviation Safety, Wildlife Biology, Anthropology, and Law Enforcement. Marcy's current research is on the feather microstructure of the Ducks, Geese, and Swans.

Selected Publications

Dove, C.J., P.G. Hare and M. Heacker. 2005. Identification of Ancient Feather Fragments Found in Meltring Alpine Ice Patches in Southern Yukon. Arctic 58(1):38-43. [PDF]

Dove, C. J., M. Heacker, and B. Adair. 2004. In Memoriam: Roxie Collie Laybourne, 1910-2003. Auk 121(4):1282-1285.

Rogers, J. D., C. J. Dove, M. Heacker, and G. R. Graves. 2002. Identification of Feathers in Textiles from the Craig Mound at Sprio, Oklahoma. Southeastern Archaeology 21(2):245-251.

Dove, C. J., and M. Heacker. 2002. Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) in North America? Journal of Field Ornithology 73(1):60-61.

Dove, C., and M. Heacker. 2001. Feathers, Feathers, Feathers! Flying Safety 57(4):16-19.