About Us
Advancing conservation science through research, education, and partnerships across the Borderlands.
Graduate Assistant
Antonio Aguilar
MS Student
Project: Habitat use and movement of scaled quail in response to brush management
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Luna
Being born and raised in South Texas on a little 21-acre ranch instilled in Antonio a love for the outdoors and animals, especially birds. This inspired him to earn his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He knew he wanted to continue his academic career and pursue a master’s degree in wildlife. This led him to the game bird research being conducted by the Borderlands Research Institute in beautiful Big Bend country.
Members of the New World quail family have been shown to be vulnerable to land use and habitat loss across North America. Antonio’s project aims to study how brush clearing and other land management practices affect the movement and habitat selection of scaled quail on private lands in the Big Bend region. Throughout the project, he will trap quail and fit them with bands and satellite backpacks to collect data on population and movement within the study sites. The hope is to improve the understanding of habitat requirements, winter movement, and survival of scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos.
