Mate choice and Mating systems of birds: What can humans learn from birds?

Birds are sexy but show a confusing array of behavior when it comes to choosing a mate, remaining “faithful”, or sticking around to help raise the chicks. We will look at factors that make sense of who chooses whom, when staying with the original mate pays off, and when partner emancipation from childcare is the best option or not. But are these biological patterns of mating systems unique to birds, or has the human species gone down a similar evolutionary pathway?

About the speaker
David Pearson is a Research Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University and received his PhD at the University of Washington under Gordon Orians. His research is focused on using the interaction of ecology, conservation, ecotourism, and education to develop methods that promote sustainable use of biodiversity. He has worked on a breadth of organisms from crabs to insects, and Paramecium to birds. He has also studied a range of habitat types including tropical rainforests, coral atolls, and desert grasslands. He has published 15 books including a best seller as co-author with Les Beletsky and Dennis Paulson – “Bird Songs Bible”.

Pearson’s current research concentrates on a small group of insects—tiger beetles—in tropical lowland rain forests around the world. He also works on international environmental education exchanges for professors, graduate students, elementary teachers, and their students that promote appreciation of cultural diversity and its impact on biodiversity conservation. He has led 25 week-long workshops in 15 countries from India, Spain, and Madagascar to Brazil, Paraguay, and Panama on critical thinking and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

This event is free but requires registration

Picture : Barred Owls by Raghav Mehta