Leah and a Golden Whistler, Coolah Tops, NSW

Dr Leah R. Tsang

Staff Profile
Dr Leah Tsang

Key Info

After nearly a decade working in information technology, Leah made the bold decision to change careers and pursue her lifelong passion for birds. Her post graduate studies in ornithology combined with part time work in the AM Ornithology collection honed her keen interests in avian anatomy and biology. She re-joined the museum on a full-time basis in 2013, and was able to develop these interests further while working on her doctoral thesis on the predatory anatomy of birds of prey.

Qualifications

BAppSci(UTS), GradCertOrnith (CSU), GradDipOrnith (CSU), PhD (UNE)

Appointments

Technical Officer, Ornithology (Apr 2013 - Nov 2015)

A/Collection Manager, Ornithology (Nov 2015 - Dec 2019)

Publications

  • Tsang, L. R., Wilson, L. A. B., McDonald, P.G. (2019). Comparing the toepads of Australian diurnal and nocturnal raptors with non-predatory taxa: Insights into functional morphology. Journal of Morphology, 2019, 1–11. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21057
  • Tsang, L. R., Wilson, L. A. B., Ledogar, J., Wroe, S., Attard, M., & Sansalone, G. (2019). Raptor talon shape and biomechanical performance are controlled by relative prey size but not by allometry. Scientific Reports, 9, 7076. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-01943654-0
  • Sustaita, D., Gloumakov, Y., Tsang, L. R., Dollar, A. M. (2019). Behavioral correlates of semi-zygodactyly in Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) based onanalysis of internet images. PeerJ, 7:e6243 DOI 10.7717/peerj.6243
  • Tsang, L. R., & McDonald, P. G. (2018). A comparative study of avian pes morphotypes, and the functional implications of Australian raptor pedal flexibility. Emu Austral Ornithology, 119, 14–24.
  • Tsang, L. R., Rose, A. B., Fuentes, E., Olsen, J., Trost, S., McDonald, P. G. (2018). A comparison of the diets of the Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris and Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides in the Canberra region. Corella, 2017, 41, 27-31.
  • Tsang, L. R. (2012). Facultative zygodactyly in the Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris. Australian Field Ornithology, 29, 89–92.
  • Debus, S. J. S., & Tsang, L. R. (2011). Notes on Black Falcons Falco subniger Breeding near Tamworth, New South Wales. Australian Field Ornithology, 28, 13–26.