Behavioral Ecology Lab
PI: Dr. Yoni Vortman
Ecology and evolution in the white-breasted kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
In collaboration with Prof. Yizhar Lavner, Prof. Frank Rheindt, Dr. Robin Vijayan
Behavioral Ecology of the White-breasted kingfisher Hula population, with emphasis on color and song. Conducted by Dana Klein.
Speciation in the White-breasted kingfisher subspecies complex: Genetic, morphological and ecological comparison of the subspecies throughout Asia. Conducted by Rimon Levin.
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) – an invasive species and a unique model-species
In collaboration with Prof. Uri Shanas, Prof. Lee Koren, MD-Vet Smadar Tal, Prof. Rachel Ben-Shlomo.
Hormones and sex ratios – examining the role of testosterone, cortisol and the intra-uterine environment on sex ratios. Conducted by Ruth Fishman
Examining alternative methods to manage the invasive nutria population in the Hula. Conducted by Michal Almoznino
Symbiotic magnetic sensing hypothesis
In collaboration with Dr. Eviatar Natan, Dr. Robert Fitak.
Examining a potential role of symbiotic bacteria in magnetic sensing of migrating birds using an integration of labratory techniques and behavioral field experiments, conduct by Yuval Werber, Uria Shoshani, Gaya Sharf, Anat Levi
The repertoire and dialects a of the White Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)
Conducted by Aya Mark, in collaboration with Prof Yizhar Lavner and Dr. Oren Kolodny.
Lab Members
Our people are at the core of what makes the Hula Research Center such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We’re proud of the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills to the projects we’re working on. Inspired by nature, together, we try to conduct inspiring research. Find out more about our team members below.
Dr. Yoni Vortman
PI
Department of Animal Sciences
I am a field behavioral ecologist. I try to be inspired from the field and to conduct research which exploits nature as a platform to examine evolutionary and behavioral processes. Accordingly, our lab is located in the middle of the Hula Valley and allows easy access to this unique and wonderful part of nature.
Shay Finkelstein
MSc Stutent
Shay is a MSc student at Tel-Hai College, department of Biotechnology. She did a bachelor's degree in animal sciences in Tel Hai. She is investigating the hypothesis of magnetic sensing in symbiotic reed warblers.
Uria Shoshani
MSc Student
Uria is a M.Sc. student at Tel-Hai College, department of Biotechnology. He did his undergraduate studies at the department of Animal Sciences at Tel-Hai. Uria experiments with pigeons using both choice trials and displacement experiments.
Gaya Sharf
MSc Student
Gaya is a M.Sc. student at Tel-Hai College, department of Biotechnology. She did her undergraduate studies at the department of Animal Sciences at Tel-Hai. Gaya examines the symbiotic magnetic sensing hypothesis using reed warblers and blackcaps.
Aya Mark
MSc Student
Aya is a M.Sc. student at The Hebrew University, at Dr. Oren Kolody's Lab. She did his undergraduate studies at Tel-Hai College. Aya Examines vocal learning and cultural dynamics in the White Spectacled Bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)
Moshe Leibovitch
MSc Student
Moshe is a M.Sc. student at the department of Biotechnology in Tel Hai College. He did his undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Animal Science, Tel Hai College.
Anat Levi
Lab and Field Manager
Anat is our lab and field manager. She did her M.Sc. and B.Sc. at the department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University. Anat also serves as the field manager of the Hula - Minerva center for Movement Ecology. Her research interest are animal behavior and movement ecology
Daniela Zinssmeister
Research Assistant
Daniela is our research assistant. She’s also working on a PhD about stopover behavior of migrating songbirds at the Animal Flight Group of Prof. Nir Sapir, University of Haifa. She graduated in diploma biology (M.Sc.) in the field of Animal Cognition and Behavioral Ecology at the University of Vienna, Austria. Her first degree was gained at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany.
She’s supporting the lab in pigeon training and investigates in the symbiotic magnetic sensing hypothesis.
Alumni
Dana Klein
Yuval Weber
Michal Almoznino
Rimon Levin
Sivan Margalit
Ruth Fishman