Carla J. Dove

Carla J. Dove (born October 17, 1962) is an American researcher who specializes in identifying birds that have gotten trapped in airplane engines, known as bird strikes. She is currently the Program Manager for Feather Identification Lab in the Division of Birds at the National Museum of Natural History. Her work helps promote wildlife safety, as well as pave the way for the development of preventative measures that will decrease the chance of wildlife impacting airplanes. She has published over 40 articles on her research so far.

Early life Dove was born on October 17, 1962, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. From an early age, she was involved in outdoor activities, in part because she grew up near George Washington National Forest. Her early hobbies lead her to become interested in wildlife, and later helped fuel her passion for birds. In 1983, she earned an associate degree from the National Resources Program at Lord Fairfax Community College. Dove transferred to the University of Montana where she found her passion for birds. She earned a work-study grant in the zoological museum as a curatorial assistant where she learned to work in research collections and skin birds. In 1986, she earned a BS degree in wildlife biology. After earning her degree, she worked in a cancer research lab for a few years in Maryland before finding a job at the Natural History Museum. The lab is funded through agreements between the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and the Smithsonian Institution.

In addition to identifying the remains of birds that have impacted with aeroplanes, her skills have been used in a variety of other cases as well. Around 2013, her help was requested to identify what bird species were being eaten by giant Burmese pythons living in the Florida Everglades.

Her knowledge has led her to become an expert in her field internationally, and thus often collaborates with many scientists and organizations over the course of her career. She often works with researchers of ecology, anthropology and evolutionary biology. She has been a consultant to the US Air Force, US Navy, FBI, US Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Division, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Transportation Safety Board, FAA, in addition to various airplane engine manufacturers. Affiliate Professor at George Mason University, 2000-2002 Served as Treasurer for the Senate of Scientists of the Smithsonian Institution, Natural History Museum, 2004 Elected member of Washington Biologists Field Club, 2007 Member of American Ornithology Society Member of Wilson Ornithological Society Member of Cooper Ornithological Society Inducted into the Virginia Community College System's Hall of Fame Panel member of National Science Foundation Served on the Smithsonian Ornithology Steering Committee