Recent Publications +
Manuscripts submitted for publication

Published Books:

Ritchison, G. 2000. Wild Bird Guides: Eastern Bluebird. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Ritchison, G. 1999. Wild Bird Guides: Downy Woodpecker. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Ritchison, G. 1997. Wild Bird Guides: Northern Cardinal. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Recent publications:

Soard, C., and G. Ritchison. 'Chick-a-dee’ calls of Carolina Chickadees convey information about degree of threat posed by avian predators. Animal Behaviour. (pdf)

Stewart, S. L., D. F. Westneat, and G. Ritchison. 2009. Extra-pair paternity in Eastern Bluebirds: effects of manipulated density and natural patterns of breeding synchrony. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. (pdf)

Lattin, C. and G. Ritchison. 2009. Intra- and intersexual functions of singing by male Blue Grosbeaks: the role of within-song variation. Wilson Journal of Ornithology, in press.

Carder, M. L. and G. Ritchison. 2009. Tail pumping by Eastern Phoebes: an honest, persistent predator-deterrent signal? Journal of Field Ornithology 80: 163-170. (pdf)

Leftwich, C. and G. Ritchison. 2008. Singing behavior of male Henslow's Sparrows. Bird Behavior 18: 1-7. (pdf)

Vukovich, M. and G. Ritchison. 2008. Foraging behavior of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers on a reclaimed surface mine in Kentucky. Southeastern Naturalist 7:1-10. (pdf)

Proppe, D. S. and G. Ritchison. 2008. Use and possible functions of the primary and sustained songs of male Grasshopper Sparrows. American Midland Naturalist 160: 1-6. (pdf)

Hodge, M. E. and G. Ritchison. 2007. Bewick's Wren in Kentucky and Tennessee: distribution, breeding success, habitat use, and interactions with House Wrens. Kentucky Warbler 83:91-102. (pdf)

Bostrom, M. R. and G. Ritchison. 2006. Possible relationships between morphology, territory quality, and skin color of American Kestrels. Journal of Field Ornithology 77: 392-398. (pdf)

Vukovich, M. and G. Ritchison. 2006. Nesting success and behavior of Northern Harriers on a reclaimed surface mine grassland in Kentucky. J. Raptor Research 40: 210-216. (pdf)

Sutter, B. and G. Ritchison. 2005. Effects of grazing on vegetation structure, prey availability, and the reproductive success of Grasshopper Sparrows. J. Field Ornithol. 76: 345-351. (pdf)

J. V. Gorrell, G. Ritchison, and E. S. Morton. 2005. Territory size and stability in a sedentary Neotropical passerine: is resource partitioning a necessary condition? J. Field Ornithol. 76: 395-401. (pdf)

Cooper, S. W. and G. Ritchison. 2005. Nestling provisioning by male and female Yellow-breasted Chats: no relationship between morphology and parental quality. J. Field Ornithol. 76: 298-302. (pdf)

Monroe, M. S. and G. Ritchison. 2005. Breeding biology of Henslow's Sparrows on reclaimed coal mine grasslands. Journal of Field Ornithology 76:143-149. (pdf)

Mays, H. L., Jr. and G. Ritchison. 2004. Extra-territorial forays, male mate guarding and vegetation density in the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens). Naturwissenschaften 91:195-198. (Abstract)

Mays Jr., H. L., K. J. McGraw, G. Ritchison, S. Cooper, V. Rush, and R. S. Parker. 2004. Sexual dichromatism in the Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens: spectrophotometric analysis and biochemical basis. Journal of Avian Biology 35:125-134. (pdf)

Leyhe, J. E. and G. Ritchison. 2004. Perch use and hunting behavior of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). Journal of Raptor Research 38:19-25. (pdf)

Ritchison, G. and B. O Huntsman. 2003. Singing by male Eastern Bluebirds: more than meets the ear. Bluebird 25: 14-17. (pdf)

Abbruzzese, C. M. and G. Ritchison. 2003. Hunting behavior of and habitat use by Eastern Screech-Owls during the non-breeding period. Kentucky Warbler 79:33-38.

Dussourd, N. and G. Ritchison. 2003. Singing behavior of male Yellow-breasted Chats: repertoires, rates, reproductive success, and a comparison with other wood warblers. Wilson Bulletin 115:52-57. (pdf)

Huntsman, B.O. and G. Ritchison. 2002. Use and functions of large song repertoires by male Eastern Bluebirds. Journal of Field Ornithology 73:372-378. (pdf)

Buhay, J. E. and G. Ritchison. 2002. Hunting behavior of and space use by Eastern Screech-Owls during the breeding season. Journal of Raptor Research 36:194-199. (pdf)

Ricketts, M. S. and G. Ritchison. 2000. Nest-site selection by Yellow-breasted Chats: effect of vegetation structure at the territory, patch, and nest-site levels. Wilson Bulletin 112:510-516. (pdf)

Moses, S. P. and G. Ritchison. 2000. Possible role of the forehead patch of Tufted Titmice as a status signal. Kentucky Warbler 76:48-50.

Guzy, M. J. and G. Ritchison. 1999. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). In: The Birds of North America, No. 448 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc. Philadelphia, PA.

Wilkins, H. D. and G. Ritchison. 1999. Drumming and tapping by male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers: description and possible causation. Journal of Field Ornithology 70:578-586. (pdf)

Abel, V. J. and G. Ritchison. 1999. Nest and roost site selection by American Woodcock in central Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 60:31-36.

Schadd, C. A. and G. Ritchison. 1998. Provisioning of nestlings by male and female Yellow-breasted Chats. Wilson Bulletin 110:398-402. (pdf)

Peake, D. R. and G. Ritchison. 1998. Nest site selection and nesting success in White-eyed Vireos. Kentucky Warbler 74:64-67.

Hofstetter, S. H. and G. Ritchison. 1998. The begging behavior of nestling Eastern Screech-Owls. Wilson Bulletin 110:86-92. (pdf)

Duguay, J. P. and G. Ritchison. 1998. A contextual analysis of singing behavior in male Tufted Titmice. Journal of Field Ornithology 69:85-94. (pdf)

Abbruzzese, C. M. and G. Ritchison. 1997. The hunting behavior of Eastern Screech-Owls, p. 21-32. In: Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere (J. R. Duncan, D. H. Johnson, and T. H. Nicholls, eds.). Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. USDA Forest Service, North Central Res. Station, St. Paul, MN. (pdf version)

Duguay, T. A., G. Ritchison, and J. P. Duguay. 1997. The winter roosting behavior of Eastern Screech-Owls in central Kentucky. Journal of Raptor Research 31:260-266. (pdf)

Ritchison, G. 1997. The effects of transmitter weight on the behavior and movements of Downy Woodpeckers. Kentucky Warbler 73:40-44.

Lawless, S. G., G. Ritchison, P. H. Klatt, and D. F. Westneat. 1997. The mating strategies of Eastern Screech-Owls: a genetic analysis. Condor 99:213-217. (pdf)

Hawkins, J. A. and G. Ritchison. 1996. Provisioning of nestlings by male and female Downy Woodpeckers. Kentucky Warbler 72:79-81.

McElroy, D. and G. Ritchison. 1996. The effect of mate removal on the singing behavior and movement patterns of female Northern Cardinals. Wilson Bulletin 108:550-555. (pdf)

Abel, V. J. and G. Ritchison. 1995. Prey use by Long-eared Owls and Eastern Screech-Owls in central Kentucky. Kentucky Warbler 71:72-75.

Ritchison, G. 1995. Characteristics, use, and possible functions of the perch songs and chatter calls of male Common Yellowthroats. Condor 97:27-38. (pdf)

Ritchison, G. 1995. Review of "The Eastern Screech Owl: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior in the Suburbs and Countryside" by F.R. Gehlbach. Journal of Raptor Research 29:215-218.

Ritchison, G., P. H. Klatt, and D. F. Westneat. 1994. Mate guarding and extra-pair paternity in Northern Cardinals. Condor 96:1055-1063. (Abstract)

Sproat, T. M. and G. Ritchison. 1994. The antipredator vocalizations of adult Eastern Screech-Owls. Journal of Raptor Research 28:93-99.

Klatt, P. H. and G. Ritchison. 1994. The effects of mate removal on the vocal behavior and movement patterns of male and female Eastern Screech-Owls. Condor 96:485-493. (pdf)

Sparks, E. J, J. R. Belthoff, and G. Ritchison. 1994. Habitat use by Eastern Screech-Owls in central Kentucky. Journal of Field Ornithology 65:83-95.

Klatt, P. H. and G. Ritchison. 1993. The duetting behavior of Eastern Screech-Owls. Wilson Bull. 105:483-489.

Sproat, T. M. and G. Ritchison. 1993. The nest defense behavior of Eastern Screech-Owls: effects of nest stage, sex, nest type, and predator location. Condor 95:288-296.

Belthoff, J. R., E. J. Sparks, and G. Ritchison. 1993. Home ranges of adult and juvenile Eastern Screech-Owls: size, seasonal variation and extent of overlap. Journal of Raptor Research 27:8-15.

Ritchison, G. and P.M. Cavanagh. 1992. Prey use by Eastern Screech-Owls: seasonal variation in central Kentucky and a review of previous studies. Journal of Raptor Research 26:66-73.

Ritchison, G., J. R. Belthoff, and E. J. Sparks. 1992. Dispersal restlessness: evidence for innate dispersal by juvenile Eastern Screech-Owls? Animal Behaviour 43:57-65.

Belthoff, J. R. and G. Ritchison. 1991. Acanthocephala terminalis (Coreidae) associated with Eastern Screech-Owl droppings. J. Kansas Entomol. Soc. 64:458-459.

Ritchison, G. 1991. The flight songs of Common Yellowthroats: description and causation. Condor 93:12-18. (pdf) (See "Singing on the Wing" in the New York Times )

Belthoff, J. R. and G. Ritchison. 1990. Nest-site selection by Eastern Screech-Owls in central Kentucky. Condor 92:982-990.

Belthoff, J. R. and G. Ritchison. 1990. Roosting behavior of postfledging Eastern Screech-Owls. Auk 107:567-579.

Ritchison, G. and M.K. Omer. 1990. Winter behavior of Northern Cardinals. Transactions of the Kentucky Academy of Science 51:145-153.

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