Data Scientist; Avian Ecologist
billi.krochuk@briwildlife.org

Billi is a community ecologist & data scientist that specializes in African birds. Originally from southern Ontario, she pursued her B.Sc. at the University of Cape Town and then M.Sc. at the University of British Columbia. Having lived and worked on the African continent for over 10 years, she’s passionate about filling gaps in our understanding of African systems and building capacity. Additionally, Billi has conducted field work across the USA and Canada. She is also fascinated by community-based conservation efforts and grassroots research programs that weave Western and traditional approaches to ecological research and wildlife monitoring.

Billi joined BRI in early 2024 and will be working alongside scientists throughout the organization to manage their large, complex datasets and ensure BRI’s 25-year data legacy will live on in perpetuity.

Education

• M.Sc. – Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2022.
• B.Sc. – Applied Biology, Ecology, and Evolution. University of Cape Town, Cape Town, WC, South Africa, 2017.

Certifications

• South African Ringing Scheme permitted bird bander, 2021-present.
• Certificate in Data Management & Reproducible Research – Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution, 2021.

Research Interests

• African Ecology
• Tropical Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Avian Acoustics
• Avian Life History & Ecology
• Agroecology
• Community-based Conservation 

Expertise 

• Data management and the structuring of complex datasets
• Active & passive acoustic monitoring of birds
• Bird banding (6000+ birds processed) and the application of morphometrics, molt information, and body condition to ecological questions
• Functional ecology and the study of community structure using physical, behavioral, and life history traits

Krochuk, B.A., Powell, L.L., Wolfe, J.D. 2024. Prevalence and significance of suspended molt in Afrotropical birds. In prep. for Ornithology.

Krochuk, B.A. 2022. Multiple metrics of community structure and beta diversity inform investigations of community assembly in two Afromontane systems. MSc Thesis. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. 

Tchoumbou, M., Krochuk, B.A., Jarrett, C., Powell, L.L.  2024. Shade tree preference by birds on cacao farms in southern Cameroon. In prep. for Ostrich.

Nikolaou, P., Krochuk, B.A., Rodrigues, P.F., Brzeski, K.B., Tonra, C., Cooper, J.C., Wolfe, J.D., Powell, L.L. 2024. Selective logging impacts key life history traits in select insectivorous birds in Central Africa. In prep. for Biotropica.

Barrie, E.M., Krochuk, B.A., Jarrett, C., Ferreira, D.F., Rodrigues, P.F., Lin Mufumu, S., Ebana Nsue, A., Brzeski, K.E., Cooper, J.C., Wolfe, J.D., Powell, L.L. 2024. Key guilds drive differences in bird communities in variably degraded lowland Afrotropical forest. In prep. for Biotropica.

Velde, M.F., Besozzi, E.M., Krochuk, B.A., Henderson, K.M., Tsuru, B.R., Velásquez Restrepo, S., Garrod, H.M., Cooper, J.C. 2023. What constitutes a community? A co-occurrence exploration of the Costa Rican avifauna. Neotrop. Biodivers. 9:64-75.

Lowney, A.M., Bolopo, D., Krochuk, B.A., Thomson, R.L., 2020. The large communal nests of Sociable Weavers provide year-round insulated refuge for weavers and Pygmy Falcons. Front. Ecol. Evol. 8:570006. 

Naude, V.N., Smyth, L.K., Weideman, E.A., Krochuk, B.A., Amar, A., 2019. Using web-sourced photography to explore the diet of a declining African raptor, the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus). Condor 121: 1–9. 

Krochuk, B.A., Bolopo, D., Lowney, A.M., Meyers, P.R., Spottiswoode, C.N., Raman, R.M., Thomson, R.L., 2018. Why defaecate on your doorstep? Investigating an unusual behaviour in Africa’s smallest falcon. Ostrich 89: 307–314.

Krochuk, B., Oschadleus, H.D., 2016. Cape Weaver nesting association and interactions with waterbirds. Biodiversity Observations 7.55: 1–5. 

• 2021—Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s program. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
• 2021—Werner and Hildegard Hesse Graduate Research Award. University of British Columbia Biodiversity Research Centre.
• 2020—E. A. Bergstrom Memorial Research Award. Association of Field Ornithologists.
• 2020—Student Research Grant. Animal Behavior Society.