We build phylogenetic trees using DNA sequence data to reconstruct the evolutionary history of avian diversification. Our studies have ranged from the species-level to the higher order relationships among the major clades of birds. The waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and various kinds of brood parasitic birds have been the focus of much of this work, but other groups have captured our interest as well. Completed and ongoing studies have generated comprehensive, species-level phylogenies for the cuckoos (half of which are brood parasites), honeyguides (all of which are brood parasites), parasitic finches, estrildid finches (which are the hosts of parasitic finches), wattle-eyes, and waterfowl. Based on our work, we now know that obligate brood parasitism evolved independently seven times among birds; thrice rather than twice in the cuckoos, and once rather than twice in the African finches (the cuckoo finch and the parasitic Vidua finches are each other’s closest relatives). Our phylogenetic trees have also formed the basis for comparative analyses of behavior, morphology, speciation, and molecular evolution in cuckoos and waterfowl.

Avian Systematics Papers

Waterfowl Systematics Papers

Some columbiforms on Columbus in Santo Domingo

Two birds in the hand are worth... a wattle-eye outgroup

We pride ourselves in thorough data analysis and a concern for data quality. An approach that has led to significant discoveries about molecular evolution and/or information helpful to other researchers collecting molecular data.

Molecular Methods & Data Analysis Papers

Some columbiforms on Columbus in Santo Domingo

Two birds in the hand are worth... a wattle-eye outgroup