World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Animal Science and Veterinary
South Africa
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Animal Science and Veterinary

D-Index
39
Citations
7199
World Ranking
1244
National Ranking
11

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
40
Citations
7955
World Ranking
6033
National Ranking
65

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Animal Science and Veterinary in South Africa Leader Award

Overview

Colleen T. Downs is affiliated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Their research primarily spans the field of Environmental Science, with a total of 388 publications contributing to this area. Within this broad field, Downs has focused on several subfields including Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Global and Planetary Change, and Ecological Modeling.

Their work addresses key topics within environmental and wildlife research, notably:

  • Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Avian ecology and behavior
  • Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
  • Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
  • Fish Ecology and Management Studies
  • Species Distribution and Climate Change

Downs has contributed to multiple papers in various scientific journals. Some recent publications include:

  • A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems, 2021, Nature Ecology & Evolution
  • The future of sub-Saharan Africa's biodiversity in the face of climate and societal change, 2022, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
  • Effects of habitat-patch size and patch isolation on the diversity of forest birds in the urban-forest mosaic of Durban, South Africa, 2020, Urban Ecosystems
  • Can I afford to publish? A dilemma for African scholars, 2021, Ecology Letters
  • Snapshot Safari: A large-scale collaborative to monitor Africa's remarkable biodiversity, 2021, South African Journal of Science

Frequent collaborators in their research include:

  • David A. Ehlers Smith
  • Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
  • Tinyiko C. Shivambu
  • Ndivhuwo Shivambu
  • Gordon O'Brien

Downs has published extensively in a range of academic venues. Publications appear most often in:

  • African Journal of Ecology
  • Ostrich
  • Global Ecology and Conservation
  • Urban Ecosystems
  • Journal für Ornithologie

Best Publications

  • Impact of protection on nest take and nesting success of parrots in Africa, Asia and Australasia

    D. J. Pain;T. L. F. Martins;M. Boussekey;S. H. Diaz

  • A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems

    Mark A. Goddard;Mark A. Goddard;Zoe G. Davies;Solène Guenat;Mark J. Ferguson

  • The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

    Lorinda A. Jordaan;Steven D. Johnson;Colleen T. Downs

  • Impact of land use on occupancy and abundance of terrestrial mammals in the Drakensberg Midlands, South Africa

    Tharmalingam Ramesh;Colleen T. Downs

  • The future of sub-Saharan Africa’s biodiversity in the face of climate and societal change

    Unknown

  • Use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to survey Nile crocodile populations: A case study at Lake Nyamithi, Ndumo game reserve, South Africa

    Mohamed A. Ezat;Camille J. Fritsch;Colleen T. Downs

  • Sugar digestion efficiencies of Gurney's sugarbirds, malachite sunbirds, and black sunbirds.

    Colleen T. Downs

  • A survey of wildlife rehabilitation in South Africa: is there a need for improved management?

    K. Wimberger;C. T. Downs;R. S. Boyes

  • Impact of farmland use on population density and activity patterns of serval in South Africa

    Tharmalingam Ramesh;Colleen T. Downs

  • NOCTURNAL HETEROTHERMY AND TORPOR IN THE MALACHITE SUNBIRD (NECTARINIA FAMOSA)

    Colleen T. Downs;Mark Brown

  • Effects of habitat-patch size and patch isolation on the diversity of forest birds in the urban-forest mosaic of Durban, South Africa

    Mfundo S. T. Maseko;Manqoba M. Zungu;David A. Ehlers Smith;Yvette C. Ehlers Smith

  • Diet of the Cape Parrot, Poicephalus robustus, in Afromontane forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    J.O. Wirminghaus;Colleen T. Downs;C.T. Symes;M.R. Perrin

  • Abundance and activity patterns of the Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) in two afromontane forests in South Africa

    J.O. Wirminghaus;Colleen T. Downs;M.R. Perrin;C.T. Symes

  • Abundance and home ranges of feral cats in an urban conservancy where there is supplemental feeding: a case study from South Africa

    Jaclyn Tennent;Colleen T. Downs

  • Physiological variation in amethyst sunbirds (Chalcomitra amethystina) over an altitudinal gradient in winter.

    Claire V. Lindsay;Colleen T. Downs;Mark Brown

  • How to build science-action partnerships for local land-use planning and management: Lessons from Durban, South Africa

    Jessica Cockburn;Mathieu Rouget;Rob Slotow;Debra Roberts

  • Diet of the crowned eagle ( Stephanoaetus coronatus ) in an urban landscape: potential for human-wildlife conflict?

    Shane C. McPherson;Mark Brown;Colleen T. Downs

  • Fruit nutritional composition and non-nutritive traits of indigenous South African tree species

    A.-L. Wilson;C.T. Downs

  • More than eating dirt: a review of avian geophagy‡

    Colleen T. Downs;Ian P. Bredin;Peter D. Wragg;Peter D. Wragg

  • The role of shading behaviour in the thermoregulation of breeding crowned plovers (Vanellus coronatus)

    Mark Brown;Colleen T Downs

  • Seasonal effects on thermoregulatory responses of the Rock Kestrel, Falco rupicolis

    N.G. Bush;M. Brown;C.T. Downs

  • Body temperature and basking behaviour of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) during winter

    Colleen T. Downs;Cathy Greaver;Ricky Taylor

  • Postrelease success of two rehabilitated vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) troops in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

    Kirsten Wimberger;Colleen T Downs;Michael R Perrin

Frequent Co-Authors

Steven D. Johnson
Steven D. Johnson University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keith L. Bildstein
Keith L. Bildstein Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Kevin P. Kirkman
Kevin P. Kirkman University of KwaZulu-Natal
Martyn C. Lucas
Martyn C. Lucas Durham University
Ara Monadjem
Ara Monadjem University of Pretoria
Carlos A. Peres
Carlos A. Peres University of East Anglia
Victor Wepener
Victor Wepener North-West University
Graham Jewitt
Graham Jewitt IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Patrick J. O’Farrell
Patrick J. O’Farrell University of Cape Town
Michael J. Lawes
Michael J. Lawes University of KwaZulu-Natal

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Animal Science and Veterinary fields opens the door to diverse career opportunities. For those passionate about animals, exploring careers with animals can guide you toward roles in wildlife conservation, animal behavior, and veterinary medicine.

Beyond traditional veterinary roles, some graduates find rewarding careers in health and fitness. For example, understanding animal physiology can complement knowledge required for careers related to human performance. If you are interested, check out online exercise science programs that offer flexible learning while preparing you for roles in fitness and rehabilitation.

Another unique pathway is leadership in educational settings, such as becoming a how to become a high school athletic director, where you can combine knowledge of animal and human sciences with management skills to oversee athletic programs.

For those interested in behavioral sciences, pursuing a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification is an option. Find out more about bcba masters programs that can complement your expertise and open doors to specialized career paths in behavior analysis.

Best Scientists Citing Colleen T. Downs

Trending Scientists