Dr Sue Anne Zollinger

My profile

Biography

I investigate animal physiology and behaviour using an integrative approach, with experience and expertise across a range of disciplines from urban ecology and endocrinology to functional morphology and sensory biology. My research combines work in both the field and the laboratory, and I believe that perspectives from both are essential to understand and test big questions about why animals do the things that they do. My interests centre around animal communication. Asking questions about how and why animals produce the signals that they do, and trying to understand the physiological and environmental forces that change and constrain these behaviours. 
 

fieldwork on lundy island and city centre of manchester

Projects

I am currently leading several projects, which involve students and collaborators from around the world. These share common themes related to the proximate mechanisms that shape behaviour, and especially acoustic signaling, as well as understanding how our human activities impact the animals we share the planet with.

Impacts of Urbanisation on Wildlife

The Evolution of Vocal Complexity

Bioacoustics as a Tool for Conservation and Welfare

Teaching

My research centres around understanding the proximate mechanisms of behaviour, and I use my research experience and interests to inform and shape my teaching and supervision. 

I contribute to the teaching of many units across several courses, including:

Level 4
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
Principles of Animal Behaviour
Biodiversity Monitoring

Level 5
Animal Health and Welfare  - Unit Leader
Brain and Behaviour  - Unit Leader

Sex & Survival 

Level 6
Control and Coordination of Behaviour
Social Life of Animals
 

Level 7 (MSc)
Avian Biology and Conservation
Behavioural Biology
Practical Techniques and Analysis
Field Course

Courses

Research outputs

Press and media

Media appearances or involvement

May 2020 - Are Covid-related decreases in air and road traffic having an impact on birds? Listen below to some radio programmes where I discuss this topic:

Birds are likely to be singing half as loudly during lockdown, even though we can hear them more clearly!

and
Do Those Birds Sound Louder To You? An Ornithologist Says You’re Just Hearing Things

May 2020 - I was recently interviewed, along with several international colleagues, discussing the impact of noise pollution on wildlife, on BBC Radio 4’s Costing the Earth Programme. Have a listen here to learn more:

Silencing with Noise - Costing The Earth 05 May 2020