ORNITHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Spatial occupancy of an introduced population of red-vented bulbuls (Pycnonotus cafer) in Houston, Texas

My AP Research Project investigated the spatial occupancy and potential impacts of Red-vented Bulbuls (RVBU) in Houston, Texas, addressing gaps in research on their effects on other bird species, seed dispersal, and overall ecological impacts. With conflicting perspectives on the species' threat, the study proposed a replicable approach focusing on bulbul density and interactions, using square kilometers as a unit of measure. I tracked individual bulbuls, measured flocks, and covered the same area consistently for reproducibility, though limited literature, time, and resources required a well-justified methodology. Overall, the project aimed to provide insights into the bulbul’s impact on Houston. Spatial Occupancy concluded that if, as hypothesized by a New Caledonian bulbul expert, invasive bulbul density correlates with ecological impact, then their environmental effect in Houston Heights is limited. My AP Research mentor Dr. Daniel M. Brooks invited me to expand this research into a co-authored paper, Range Expansion, Density, and Population Estimates of an Introduced Population of Red-vented Bulbul in Houston, Texas (forthcoming). I analyzed bulbul range expansion and population estimates using data from eBird and the Texas Invasive Bird Project to predict the future population in Houston, and am now drafting the paper to summarize our findings.