 Northern Bald Ibis Reintroduction |
I’m a comparative ecophysiologist. My research is located at the interface of the physiology, sensory ecology and behaviour of vertebrates. |
I’m a Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Physiology at Royal Holloway, University of London.
The common theme of my work focuses on how animals adapt their behaviour and ecology to the challenges of their environment, within the constraints of their own physiological and anatomical limitations. Such questions are particularly important in the light of global environmental change and exploitation of natural resources, in the emerging field of conservation physiology.
Further information can be found at:
School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway
I have 2-3 upcoming PhD projects that will be available shortly, through the NERC London DTP. More details to follow! Any prospective students do get in touch (contact details below). Announcements will be made via the NERC London DTP Twitter and Website, and via my Twitter also (click the bold to go to the relevant websites).
Contact Information:
School of Biological Sciences, Bourne Laboratories,
Royal Holloway, University of London,
Egham, Surrey, Tw20 0EX, UK
Email: Steve.Portugalatrhul.ac.uk
Dr Steve Portugal, Animal Behaviour and Physiology 
Hello. I was wondering what is the reason why you’ve got the surname Portugal.
If it’s not too cheeky and personal to ask out of simple curiosity. I find it not common to have a country’s name as a surname.
Is it because you’ve got some ancestry from that country? Is it because your parents are from there? I’m just wondering. A quick reply from you would be really appreciated thank you and sorry for being so curious.
It was actually a spelling mistake that occurred in the United States about 250 years ago, and then stuck due to people being illiterate. Sounds crazy I know. It was Portugil before.
HI I LIVE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK ONLY ONCE IN THE SPRING I SAW GREAT BLUE HERONS FLYING IN V FORMATION I COULDN’T BELIEVE MY EYES. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED WITH MY BINOCULARS I ONLY WISH I HAD A CAMERA. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THIS? I CHECKED SEVERAL SITES WHEN I GOOGLED DO BLUE HERONS FLY IN V FORMATION? THERE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS ALONG WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO SAY IT ISN’T POSSIBLE YOUR COMMENTS WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED I FOUND YOUR LINK THROUGH EARTH SKY NEWS THANK-YOU
Hello – yes, it’s quite possible. Any large bird which congregates in large numbers will fly in a V formation. Herons are not birds which typically flock together in large numbers (as an actual flock, you’ll see herons in large numbers where food is plentiful, but they’re not a true flock), but it is possible they would utilise the V formation if the conditions presented themselves.
Thank- you for this information. I really learned a lot . Best wishes for your continued research.