Research Projects Ornithology
Evolution of complex traits in birds
Birds’ behavior in the wild integrates input from many features of their anatomy. Each of these morphological features is bound by function to many behaviors, and each of these can involve numerous environmental and ecological interactions. We aim to disentangle these complex relationships to understand the evolution of the diversity of avian forms, colors, and sounds ... [ more ]
Dynamics of diversity: which parts of morphological evolution are predictable?
Natural history is replete with booms and busts of organismal diversity. Many adaptive radiations have their origins in stochastic events that unlock novel opportunities, but how predictable are organisms’ responses to those opportunities? Where does the stochasticity end and a predictable pattern of diversification begin? ... [ more ]
Listening to ecosystems: using acoustic monitoring to track biodiversity responses to global change
The world of sound is a medium of diverse signals and cues that animals use to communicate and understand their surroundings. While this sensory environment differs greatly depending on the receiver’s physiology, it is ultimately a commons shared across animals of many sizes and intentions – including humans ... [ more ]
