Biologist, Animal Programs
National Zoological Park
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012 MRC 5523
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Email: hallagers at si.edu
Research Interests
My area of interest is primarly with kori bustards. I am the International Studbook keeper as well as the SSP (Species Survival Plan) Coordinator for the population of birds in the US. The goal of my research is to better understand kori bustards in captivity so that managers can improve husbandry standards and increase captive breeding.
Current Research Projects
-An Investigation into the Egg Temperature and Female Incubation Behavior in Captive Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori) at the National Zoological Park
-A behavioral study of kori bustards at the National Zoological Park.
-Molt Patterns in Captive Kori Bustards
-Assessing reproductive parameters in captive kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) using non-invasive fecal hormone analysis.
-Health Evaluations of Free-Ranging Kori bustards in Kenya
-An investigation into the egg temperature and incubation behavior in captive American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) at the National Zoological Park
Recent Publications
Lichtenberg, E.M. and Hallager, S. 2007. A description of commonly observed behaviors for the kori bustard (Ardeotis kori). Journal of Ethology (currently available on-line only)
Hallager, S. 2006. A Preliminary Study of the Health Status of Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori) in Kenya. Animal Keepers Forum 33 (12): 523-529.
Hallager, S. 2006. Flamingo Helpers. Animal Keepers Forum 33 (5): 193.
Brostek, J., Hallager, S., and Powell, D. 2005. The Effect of Visitors on the Space Usage of Captive Kori bustards (Ardeotis kori). International Conference on Environmental Enrichment.
Hallager, S. 2005. Breeding and hand-rearing the Kori bustard Ardeotis kori at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Washington, DC. International Zoo Yearbook 39: 143-161.
Baily, T., and Hallager, S. 2003. Management of Bustards in Captivity. Avicultural Magazine 109 (1): 1-8.
Brostek, J., Hallaers, S., and Powell, D. 2003. The Effect of Visitors on the Behavior of Captive Kori bustards (Ardeotis kori): A Preliminary Analysis. Proceedings of the 40th Annual Animal Behavior.
Hallager, S.. 2003. A description of copulation in the Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori struthiunculus. Bulletin British Ornithologist's Club 123(2): 125-129.
Hallager, S., Ward, A., Maslanka, M., and Boylan, J. 2002. Kori Bustard Nutrition and Dietary Husbandry. AZA Annual Proceedings.
Boylan, J., Hallager, S., and Cramm, A. Update on Husbandry Guidelines for Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori). 2001. AZA Annual Proceedings.
Updated -11/09/07
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