Vallo Tilgar

Vallo Tilgar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Tartu, Estonia, affiliated with Peeter Hõrak's Lab. His research examines avian responses to environmental challenges, including noise pollution, dietary constraints, and habitat changes, with a focus on behavioral ecology, physiology, and conservation.

Research Interests: Dr. Tilgar investigates how environmental stressors shape bird behavior and adaptation. Key areas include:

• Impact of anthropogenic noise on nesting and anti-predator behaviors
• Physiological mechanisms like serotonin pathways and corticosterone in reproduction
• Genomic variations in songbirds and gut microbiome dynamics
• Conservation strategies for farmland and urban bird populations

Publication Trends: His recent articles (2017–2024) reveal a focus on:

• Avian stress responses to human-induced environmental changes
• Large-scale genomic and microbiome studies across European bird populations
• Behavioral plasticity in urban/rural habitats
• Integration of long-term ecological data via initiatives like SPI-Birds

Lab & Affiliations: He conducts fieldwork and experiments through Peeter Hõrak's Lab, leveraging collaborations across Europe to address questions in evolutionary ecology and species resilience.