Author: Laura Bies
Crossbills and Conifers: One Million Years of Adaptation and Coevolution
This book addresses how Crossbills (and their call types), especially the Cassia Crossbill, have coevolved using various conifer seeds in North America and the world. The core of Dr. Benkman's research lies in the quantifiable relationship between the Crossbill's bill and the structure of the conifer cones. Read More
AFO meetings | AFO WOS 2026 joint meeting recap
Welcome! Between July 7-9, 2026, AFO held its annual meeting jointly with its sister society, the Wilson Ornithological Society,in Newport, Rhode Island. Plenaries and talks Each day began with an exciting plenary talk, the first given by Dr. Phil Stouffer on behalf of AFO, and the next given by Dr. David King on behalf of […] Read More
Journal of Field Ornithology | Editor’s Pick (Volume 97, Issue 2)
In this new section, one of the journal’s co-Editors-in-Chiefs highlight their favorite paper from the latest JFO issue. This edition is courtesy of Dr. Mark E. Hauber, outgoing co-EIC. The selected paper was: “What they do in the shadows: partial nocturnality in a large forest parrot” by Tirth Vaishnav; Rachel C. Shaw, and Kevin. C. […] Read More
In a Class of Their Own: A Detailed Examination of Avian Forms and Functions
How do you review a book whose title you do not agree with? Birds, however wonderful and unique, are but a specialized lineage of reptiles, well-nested amongst other, now extinct dinosaurs. As such, they ought not to be in a class of their own. Yet, they most certainly deserve the thousands of pages of writing, images, diagrams, figures, and citations that Prof. Gary Ritchison has put together for this fantastic book. Read More
Ornithological Council bimonthly news brief: May-June 2026
The Ornithological Council’s mission is to: Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff: 1. Submitted two OC board members as potential committee nominees for the new Standing Committee on Animal Health, Conservation, and Research. José Ramírez-Garofalo and Brian Washburn were nominated for this new National Academies committee, which will address the intersection of animal health, […] Read More
Ornithological Council bimonthly news brief: March-April 2026
Over the last two months, Ornithological Council staff: 1. Held our annual board meeting, where the board received updates from staff, shared updates from their respective societies, and approved the budget for the next fiscal year, which started July 1. During the meeting, the board voted to approve the application of the American Ornithological Society to become a member society of the OC once again. Read More
Journal of Field Ornithology | Editor’s Pick (Volume 97, Issue 1)
We are glad to present this new section, where for each new issue of the JFO, one of the journal’s co-Editors-in-Chief will highlight their favorite paper. This edition is courtesy of Dr. Rafael Rueda Hernández. The selected paper was: “Passive acoustic monitoring reveals the limited distribution of an indicator species, the White-headed Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus albolarvatus), […] Read More
AFO news | We welcome the JFO’s new co-Editor-in-Chief
The Journal of Field ornithology has got a new co-Editor-in-Chief! But before introducing him, we’d like to honor Dr. Mark E. Hauber, who is stepping down from the role after 5 years of hard work and collaboration with JFO. A few warm words from Matt Shumar, AFO President: We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Mark […] Read More