Our lab is focused on studying patterns and correlates of phenotypic (particularly behavioral) and taxic diversification in birds, with a particular emphasis on passerines (Aves: Passeriformes). The Passeriformes, also known as “perching birds,” are the single largest order of birds, comprising over 50% of avian species diversity. Based on net diversification rate, one subset of passerines—the oscines or “songbirds”—has been identified as the largest radiation of birds. In addition to species richness, this group exhibits a wide array of trophic specializations (e.g., insectivory, carnivory, nectarivory, granivory, folivory), social behaviors (e.g., coloniality, pair territoriality, group territoriality, cooperative breeding), and mating systems (e.g., social—sometimes even genetic—monogamy, polygyny, promiscuity, lekking), making passerine species the subject of voluminous, intensive, long-term research.

We are the "B" in the #AllochthonousRBJ lab supergroup, which also includes Sushma Reddy, Sharon Jansa, and their students.

In this lab, we believe:
Black Lives Matter
Love is Love
This Land was Stolen
Women's Rights are Human Rights
No Human is Illegal
All Genders are Valid
Science is Real