2000 Ph.D. Wildlife Science. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.1988 M.Sc. Wildlife Ecology. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

1985 B.Sc. Biology/Outdoor Education. Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin.

Nearshore marine systems, avian ecology and conservation, sea duck biology, nutritional and physiological ecology, population biology and demography, population structure and genetics, wildlife habitat associations, oil spill impacts and recovery.

Peer-reviewed Publications:
Bond, J. C., S. A. Iverson, N. B. MacCallum, C. M. Smith, H. J. Bruner, and D. Esler.  2009.  Variation in breeding season survival of adult female harlequin ducks.  Journal of Wildlife Management: in press.

Takekawa, J. Y., S. W. De La Cruz, M. T. Wilson, E. C. Palm, J. Yee, D. R. Nyeswander, J. R. Evenson, J. M. Eadie, D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and D. H. Ward.  2009.  Breeding synchrony, sympatry, and nesting areas of Pacific coast surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) in the northern boreal forest.  Studies in Avian Biology: in press.

LeBourdais, S. V., R. C. Ydenberg, and D. Esler.  2009.  Fish and harlequin ducks compete on breeding streams.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 87:31-40.

Schamber, J. L., D. Esler, and P. L. Flint.  2009.  Evaluating the validity of using unverified indices of body condition.  Journal of Avian Biology 40:49-56.

Gorman, K. B., D. Esler, R. L. Walzem, and T. D. Williams.  2009.  Plasma yolk precursor dynamics during egg production by female Greater Scaup (Aythya marila): characterization and indices of reproductive state.  Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 82: in press.

Žydelis, R., D. Esler, M. Kirk, and W. S. Boyd.  2009.  Effects of off-bottom shellfish aquaculture on winter habitat use by molluscivorous sea ducks.  Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 19:34-42.

Bond, J. C., D. Esler, and T. D. Williams.  2008.  Breeding propensity of female harlequin ducks.  Journal of Wildlife Management 72:1388-1393.

Lok, E. K., M. Kirk, D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2008.  Movements of pre-migratory surf and white-winged scoters in response to Pacific herring spawn.  Waterbirds 31:385-393.

Kirk, M., D. Esler, S. A. Iverson, and W. S. Boyd.  2008.  Movements of wintering surf scoters: predator responses to different prey landscapes.  Oecologia 155: 859-867.

Nilsson, P., T. Hollmén, S. Atkinson, K. Mashburn, P. Tuomi, D. Esler, D. Mulcahy, and D. Rizzolo.  2008.  Effects of ACTH, capture, and short term confinement on glucocorticoid concentrations in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 149:275-283.

Bond, J. C., and D. Esler.  2008.  Bill entanglement in subcutaneously-anchored radio transmitters on harlequin ducks.  Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120:599-602.

Heard, D. J., D. M. Mulcahy, S. A. Iverson, D. J. Rizzolo, E. C. Greiner, J. Hall, H. Ip, and D. Esler. 2008.  A blood survey of elements, viral antibodies, and hemoparasites in wintering harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Barrow’s Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica).  Journal of Wildlife Diseases 44:486-493.

Gorman, K. B., D. Esler, P. L. Flint, and T. D. Williams.  2008.  Nutrient reserve dynamics during egg production by female Greater Scaup (Aythya marila): relationships with timing of reproduction.  Auk 125:384-394.

Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2008.  Foraging behaviors of Surf and White-winged Scoters in relation to clam density: inferring food availability and habitat quality.  Auk 125:149-157.

Kirk, M., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2007.  Foraging effort of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) wintering in a spatially and temporally variable prey landscape.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:1207-1215.

Kirk, M., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2007.  Morphology and density of mussels on natural and aquaculture structure habitats: implications for sea duck predators.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 346:179-187.

Bond, J. C., D. Esler, and K. A. Hobson.  2007.  Isotopic evidence for sources of nutrients allocated to clutch formation by harlequin ducks.  Condor 109:698-704.

Iverson, S. A., and D. Esler.  2007.  Survival of female harlequin ducks during wing molt.  Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1220-1224.

Mulcahy, D. M., K. A. Burek, and D. Esler.  2007.  Inflammatory reaction to fabric collars from percutaneous antennas attached to intracoelomic radio transmitters implanted in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus).  Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 21:13-21.

Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2007.  Foraging behaviors of surf scoters and white-winged scoters at spawning sites of Pacific herring.  Condor 109:216-222

Gorman, K. B., P. L. Flint, D. Esler, and T. D. Williams.  2007.  Ovarian follicle dynamics of female Greater Scaup during egg production.  Journal of Field Ornithology 78:64-73.

Ball, J. R., D. Esler, and J. A. Schmutz.  2007.  Proximate composition, energetic value, and relative abundance of prey fish from the inshore eastern Bering Sea: implications for piscivorous predators.  Polar Biology 30:699-708.

Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2007. Effects of predation by sea ducks on clam abundance in soft-bottom intertidal habitats.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 329:131-144.

Bond, J. C., and D. Esler.  2006.  Nutrient acquisition by female harlequin ducks prior to migration and reproduction: evidence for body mass optimization.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 84: 1223-1229.

Žydelis, R., D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, D. Lacroix, and M. Kirk.  2006.  Habitat use by wintering surf and white-winged scoters: effects of environmental attributes and shellfish aquaculture.  Journal of Wildlife Management 70:1754-1762.

Esler, D., S. A. Iverson, and D. J. Rizzolo.  2006.  Genetic and demographic criteria for defining population units for conservation: the value of clear messages.  Condor 108:481-484.

Iverson, S. A., W. S. Boyd, D. Esler, D. M. Mulcahy, and T. D. Bowman.  2006.  Comparison of the effects and performance of four radio transmitter types for use with scoters.  Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:656-663.

Iverson, S. A., and D. Esler.  2006.  Site fidelity and the demographic implications of winter movements by a migratory bird, the harlequin duck.  Journal of Avian Biology 37:219-228.

Lewis, T. L., D. Esler, W. S. Boyd, and R Žydelis.  2005.  Nocturnal foraging behavior of wintering surf scoters and white-winged scoters.  Condor 107:636-646.

Lacroix, D.L., W. S. Boyd, D. Esler, M. Kirk, T. L. Lewis, and S. Lipovsky.  2005.  Surf scoters aggregate in association with ephemerally abundant polychaetes.  Marine Ornithology 33:61-63.

Žydelis, R., and D. Esler.  2005.  Response of wintering Steller’s Eiders to herring spawn.  Waterbirds 28:344-350.

Rizzolo, D. J., D. Esler, D. D. Roby, and R. L. Jarvis.  2005.  Do wintering Harlequin Ducks forage nocturnally at high latitudes?  Condor 107:173-177.

Iverson, S. A., D. Esler, and D. J. Rizzolo.  2004.  Winter philopatry of harlequin ducks in Prince William Sound, Alaska.  Condor 106:711-715.

Peterson, C. H., S. D. Rice, J. W. Short, D. Esler, J. L. Bodkin, B. A. Ballachey, and D. B. Irons. 2003. Long-term ecosystem response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.  Science 302: 2082-2086.

Iverson, S. A., D. Esler, and W. S. Boyd.  2003.  Plumage characteristics as an indicator of age class in the surf scoter. Waterbirds 26:56-61.

Esler, D., T. D. Bowman, K. Trust, B. E. Ballachey, T. A. Dean, S. C. Jewett, and C. E. O’Clair.  2002.  Harlequin duck population recovery following the Exxon Valdez oil spill: progress, process, and constraints.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 241:271-286.

Esler, D., J. B. Grand, and A. D. Afton.  2001.  Intraspecific variation in nutrient reserve use during clutch formation by lesser scaup.  Condor 103:810-820.

Esler, D., T. D. Bowman, T. A. Dean, C. E. O’Clair, S. C. Jewett, and L. L. McDonald.  2000.  Correlates of harlequin duck densities during winter in Prince William Sound, Alaska.  Condor 102:920-926.

Esler, D., T. D. Bowman, C. E. O’Clair, T. A. Dean, and L. L. McDonald.  2000.  Densities of Barrow’s goldeneyes during winter in Prince William Sound, Alaska in relation to habitat, food, and history of oil contamination.  Waterbirds 23:425-431.

Esler, D., D. M. Mulcahy, and R. L. Jarvis.  2000.  Testing assumptions for unbiased estimation of survival of radio-marked harlequin ducks.  Journal of Wildlife Management 64:591-598.

Esler, D., J. A. Schmutz, R. L. Jarvis, and D. M. Mulcahy.  2000.  Winter survival of adult female harlequin ducks in relation to history of contamination by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:839-847.

Esler, D.  2000.  Applying metapopulation theory to conservation of migratory birds.  Conservation Biology 14:366-372.

Trust, K. A., D. Esler, B. R. Woodin, and J. J. Stegeman.  2000.  Cytochrome P450 1A induction in sea ducks inhabiting nearshore areas of Prince William Sound, Alaska.  Marine Pollution Bulletin 40:397-403.

Esler, D.  1999.  Time of day of ovulation by three duck species in subarctic Alaska. Condor 101: 422-425.

Lanctot, R., B. Goatcher, K. Scribner, S. Talbot, B. Pierson, D. Esler, and D. Zwiefelhofer.  1999.  Harlequin duck recovery from the Exxon Valdez oil spill: a population genetics perspective.  Auk 116:781-791.

Mather, D. D., and D. Esler.  1999.  Evaluation of bursal depth as an indicator of age class of harlequin ducks.  Journal of Field Ornithology 70:200-205.

Mulcahy, D. M., and D. Esler.  1999.  Surgical and immediate postrelease mortality of harlequin ducks implanted with abdominal radio transmitters with percutaneous antennae.  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 30:397-401.

Mulcahy, D. M., D. Esler, and M. K. Stoskopf.  1999.  Loss from harlequin ducks of abdominally implanted radio transmitters equipped with percutaneous antennas.  Journal of Field Ornithology 70:244-250.

Pearce, J. M., D. Esler, and A. G. Degtyarev.  1998.  Birds of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia: historical and regional comparisons.  Arctic 51:361-370.

Pearce, J. M., D. Esler, and A. G. Degtyarev.  1998.  Nesting ecology of spectacled eiders on the Indigirka River Delta, Russia.  Wildfowl 49:110-123.

Cronin, M. A., J. B. Grand, D. Esler, D. V. Derksen, and K. T. Scribner.  1996.  Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA.  Canadian Journal of Zoology 74:992-999.

Esler, D.  1994.  Dynamics of ovarian follicles in breeding ducks.  Wilson Bulletin 106:679‑688.

Esler, D., and J. B. Grand.  1994.  Comparison of age determination techniques for female northern pintails and American wigeon in spring.  Wildlife Society Bulletin 22:260‑264.

Esler, D., and J. B. Grand.  1994.  The role of nutrient reserves for clutch formation by female northern pintails in subarctic Alaska.  Condor 96:422‑432.

Weller, M. W., K. C. Jensen, E. J. Taylor, M. Miller, K. S. Bollinger, D. V. Derksen, D. Esler, and C. Markon.  1994.  Assessment of shoreline vegetation in relation to use by molting black brant on the Alaska Coastal Plain.  Biological Conservation 70:219‑225.

Esler, D., and J. B. Grand.  1993.  Factors influencing depredation of artificial duck nests.  Journal of Wildlife Management 57:244‑248.

Esler, D.  1992.  Habitat use by piscivorous birds on a power plant cooling reservoir.  Journal of Field Ornithology 63:241‑249.

Esler, D.  1990.  Avian community responses to hydrilla invasion.  Wilson Bulletin 102:427‑440.

Esler, D.  1990.  Waterfowl habitat use on a Texas reservoir with hydrilla.  Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 44:390‑400.

Esler, D.  1989.  An assessment of American coot herbivory of hydrilla.  Journal of Wildlife Management 53:1147‑1149.