MS, Northern Illinois University
BS, Lake Superior State University
Get In Touch
Mercy Hall 244 | 207-893-7565 | jparuk@sjcme.edu
Teaches Biology and Ecology courses including Introduction to Biology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Ornithology.
Scholarly interests - Ornithology, behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology, specializing in loons.
James “Jim” Paruk is an associate professor in the Biology Department. Currently, he is a senior scientist at the Biodiversity Research Institute’s Loon Center for Conservation. His other affiliations include the Earthwatch Institute, the Waterbird Society, the Wilson Ornithological Society, and the Xerces Society. Jim is a passionate naturalist, equally at home identifying birds, butterflies, or wildflowers. He has travelled extensively and has led college courses throughout North and Central America. Jim has studied Common Loons for 23 years and is considered one of the world’s experts on this species. Outside of work, he is an avid tennis player, enjoys hiking, and plays guitar.
Publications
Paruk, J.D., E. M. Adams, H. Uher-Koch, K. A. Kovach, D. Long, IV, C. Perkins, N. Schoch and D. C. Evers. 2016. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in blood related to lower body mass in Common Loons. The Science of the Total Environment 565:360-368.
Paruk, J.D., M. Chickering, D. Long, IV, H. Uher-Koch, A. East, E. A. Adams, K. A. Kovach, D.C. Evers. 2015. Winter site fidelity in Common Loons across North America. The Condor: Ornithological Applications117:485-493.
Paruk, J.D., S.J. Cooper, A. O. Mangan, R. S. Brady and L. Tucker. 2015. Resting Metabolic Rates of Adult Northern Shrikes (Lanius excubitor) Wintering in Northern Wisconsin. Wilson Journal of Ornithology127 (3): 510-514.
Paruk, J.D., D. Long, IV,C. Perkins, A. East, B. J. Sigel and D. C. Evers. 2014. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons detected in Common Loons wintering off coastal Louisiana. Water birds 37:85-93.
Paruk, J.D., D. Long, IV, S. L. Ford and D. C. Evers. 2014. Common Loons Wintering off Louisiana Coast Tracked to Saskatchewan during the Breeding Season. Waterbirds 37: 47-52.
Paruk, J.D., J. N, Mager, III and D.C. Evers. 2014. An Overview of Loon Research and Conservation in North America. Waterbirds37: 1-5.
Gray, C., J. D. Paruk, C. R. DeSorbo, L. J. Savoy, D. E. Yates, M. Chickering, R. B. Gray, K. M. Taylor, D. Long, IV., N. Schoch, W. Hanson and D. C. Evers. 2014. Strong Link between Body Mass and Migration Distance for Common Loons (Gavia immer). Waterbirds37:64-75.
Long, IV, D. and J. D. Paruk. 2014. Unusually large wintering foraging flock of Common Loons in the Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Naturalist 13(4): 49-51.
Windels, S.K. ,E. A. Beever, J. D. Paruk, A. R. Brinkman, J. E. Fox, C. C. MacNulty, D. C. Evers, and L. S. Siegel. 2013. Effects of water level management on common loon (Gavia immer) nesting success. Journal of Wildlife Management77(8):1626-1638.
In the News
What’s it like to hold a loon in your hands? Interview on tv show 207. August 2021
Bird Conservation & Appreciation: Protecting Birds In the Face of Global Population Decline & Summertime Birding in Maine. Interview on Maine Public Radio. August 2021
Excursions Trips Research
- The Birds of Mexico
- The Birds of Hawaii