Research Interests
I study the ecology, behavior, and conservation of birds. My laboratory uses the approaches and theoretical insights of basic ecology and behavior to study questions of conservation significance in various ecosystems in North America and in the tropics. Current research projects include effects of forest and grassland conservation on birds in the American Midwest, effects of urbanization on birds communities, avian brood parasitism, and tropical forest bird community organization and conservation. I am especially interested in determining the decision rules used by birds in selecting breeding sites and then determining if these rules are adaptive in human-modified habitats.