Guillam Mcivor&refresh | Ecology and Conservation

Dr Guillam McIvor

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Thornton)

G.McIvor@exeter.ac.uk

Not Known

The Farmhouse B004-008

The Farmhouse, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK

Overview

I am a post-doctoral research fellow who works as part of Alex Thornton's Wild Cognitions Research Group. I moved to Cornwall to set up the Cornish Jackdaw Project in 2012, which aims to investigate and better understand cognitive evolution in the animal kingdom. We now have over 80 occupied nest boxes in the local area and have colour ringed over 2500 birds. I have worked on a wide range of topics over the last 10 years, from ecology, to human-wildlife conflict and animal behaviour. My most recent research has focussed on how animals learn about danger, the effects of group heterogeneity on collective behaviour. You can find more information on my website .

Qualifications

2012 - PhD - University of St Andrews

2008 - Undergraduate MSc - University of Glasgow

Career

2017 - present - Post-doctoral Research Fellow - University of Exeter

2017 - Visiting Researcher - Newcastle University

2012 - 2016 - Associate Research Fellow - University of Exeter

2008 - 2012 - PhD - University of St Andrews

2007 - Research Assistant - University of Glasgow

2006 - 2007 - RSPB North Scotland Office - Red Kite Project Assistant

2005 - Research Assistant - University of Glasgow

Publications

Journal articles

Arbon JJ, Hahn LG, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2023). Competition and generalization impede cultural formation in wild jackdaws. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 290(2004). Abstract.

Kings M, Arbon JJ, McIvor GE, Whitaker M, Radford AN, Lerner J, Thornton A (2023). Wild jackdaws can selectively adjust their social associations while preserving valuable long-term relationships. Nature Communications, 14(1). Abstract.

McIvor GE, Lee VE, Thornton A (2022). Nesting jackdaws’ responses to human voices vary with local disturbance levels and the gender of the speaker. Animal Behaviour, 192, 119-132.

Hahn LG, Hooper R, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2021). Cooperative nest building in wild jackdaw pairs. Animal Behaviour, 178, 149-163.

Hooper R, Meekins E, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2021). Wild jackdaws respond to their partner's distress, but not with consolation. R Soc Open Sci, 8(6). Abstract. Author URL.

Ling H, Mclvor GE, Westley J, van der Vaart K, Vaughan RT, Thornton A, Ouellette NT (2019). Behavioural plasticity and the transition to order in jackdaw flocks. Nature Communications, 10(1). Abstract.

Ling H, Mclvor GE, Westley J, van der Vaart K, Yin J, Vaughan RT, Thornton A, Ouellette NT (2019). Collective turns in jackdaw flocks: kinematics and information transfer. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 16(159), 20190450-20190450. Abstract.

Coomes JR, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2019). Correction to ‘Evidence for individual discrimination and numerical assessment in collective antipredator behaviour in wild jackdaws (. <i>Corvus monedula</i>. )’. Biology Letters, 15(11), 20190740-20190740.

Ling H, McIvor GE, van der Vaart K, Vaughan RT, Thornton A, Ouellette NT (2019). Costs and benefits of social relationships in the collective motion of bird flocks. Nature Ecology and Evolution

Coomes JR, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2019). Evidence for individual discrimination and numerical assessment in collective antipredator behaviour in wild jackdaws (Corvus monedula). Biology Letters, 15(10). Abstract.

Ling H, McIvor GE, van der Vaart K, Vaughan RT, Thornton A, Ouellette NT (2019). Local interactions and their group-level consequences in flocking jackdaws. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 286, 20190865-20190865. Abstract.

Lee VE, Régli N, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2019). Social learning about dangerous people by wild jackdaws. Royal Society Open Science, 6(9), 191031-191031. Abstract.

Woods RD, Kings M, McIvor GE, Thornton A (2018). Caller characteristics influence recruitment to collective antipredator events in jackdaws. Scientific Reports, 8, 7343-7343. Abstract.

Ling H, Mclvor GE, Nagy G, MohaimenianPour S, Vaughan RT, Thornton A, Ouellette NT (2018). Simultaneous measurements of three-dimensional trajectories and wingbeat frequencies of birds in the field. J R Soc Interface, 15(147). Abstract. Author URL.

McIvor GE, Lee VE, Thornton A (2018). Testing social learning of anti-predator responses in juvenile jackdaws: the importance of accounting for levels of agitation. Royal Society Open Science, 5, 171571-171571. Abstract.

Greggor AL, McIvor GE, Clayton NS, Thornton A (2018). Wild jackdaws are wary of objects that violate expectations of animacy. Royal Society Open Science, 5(10). Abstract.

McIvor GE, Healy SD (2017). Nest site selection and patterns of nest re-use in the Hooded Crow Corvus cornix. Bird Study, 64(3), 374-385. Abstract.

Greggor AL, McIvor GE, Clayton NS, Thornton A (2016). Contagious risk taking: social information and context influence wild jackdaws' responses to novelty and risk. Sci Rep, 6 Abstract. Author URL.

Mcivor GE, Healy SD (2015). Communal nesting by Hooded Crows. Bird Study Abstract.

McIvor GE, Healy SD (2015). Communal nesting by Hooded Crows. Bird Study, 62(3), 423-426. Abstract.

McIvor GE (2015). Hooded Crows nesting inside a caravan. British Birds, 108(7), 430-431.

McIvor GE, Rowe C, Healy SD (2012). Deterring Hooded Crows from Re-Nesting on Power Poles. WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN, 36(4), 729-734. Author URL.

Teaching

I currently teach on the 2nd year Biology of Birds module in Term 1, and in Term 2 will be leading the Biology of Mammals and Trends in Ecology and Evolution courses. I have also previously joined the teaching staff on 3rd year field courses to the Azores, Borneo, and Yukon/Alaska.

In addition to the module content that I deliver, I also supervise undergraduate and masters students who undertake field projects with the Cornish Jackdaw Project studying ecology and behaviour, and provide guidance and training in the field for our PhD students.

Office Hours:

Office hours for 2022/23 Term 2:

Tuesday 11-1200.

Thursday 14-1500.

As I may already be meeting with a student during these hours, please message me via Teams if you would like to talk and I will open a video session with you as soon as I am able.

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