Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (207) 839-7600 ex. 118 /Fax: (207) 839-7655 patrick.keenan@briloon.org
Biography
Patrick graduated from Colby College (Waterville, ME) in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Following this, he spent several years working as a research biologist and educator. This included seasonal work at Manomet Center for Conservation Science as a bird bander and educator, The Nature Conservancy and USDA as a field biologist, as well as time spent teaching at Exploration Summer Programs (Wellesly, MA), South Plymouth High School (Plymouth, MA), and Hyde Park High School (Boston, MA). These experiences culminated in the pursuit of a Master’s of Science Degree in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming where he examined flight call imitation and variation in Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in an effort to understand the role of this trait in crossbill diversity. In 2008 he began work with BioDiversity as a seasonal biologist studying bats in Maine. His work at BioDiversity continues as the Education and Outreach Coordinator bringing the scientific findings of BioDiversity to students and community members of Maine and beyond.
Research And Special Interests
Avian behavior and migration, K-12 science education, bird banding, Red Crossbills
Publications and Technical Reports:
- Keenan, P. C. and C.W. Benkman. 2008. Call immitation and call modification in red crossbills. The Condor 110:93-101
- Keenan, P. C. 2007. Call learning and call variation in red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra complex). M.S. thesis, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- Benkman, C. W., J. S. Colquitt, W. R. Gould, T. Fetz, P. C. Keenan, and L. Santisteban. 2005. Can selection by an ectoparasite drive a population of red crossbills from its adaptive peak? Evolution 59:42-49
