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Online Author Talk With Smithsonian Biologist Jay Falk

The Stories, Science and History of Birds

Delve into the fascinating world of birds with Smithsonian biologist Jay Falk as he presents the astonishing photography and clear explanations of the institute's new absorbing guide, "The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds." Adults and teens. Register to get a link. A recording will also be available for later viewing.

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Delve into the fascinating world of birds with Smithsonian biologist Jay Falk as he presents the astonishing photography and clear explanations of the institute's new absorbing global guide, "The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds."

Birds are dinosaurs with a history going back millions of years. Our fascination with them runs deep in history and our close association is reflected in creation stories, myths, legends, songs and children's stories.

 This book and presentation explore:

• Both the natural history of birds and that deep cultural connection, from their evolution and anatomy to their behavior and diversity.
• Hawks, finches, swans or birds of paradise, moving the focus away from a predictable species-by-species account and allowing for truly global coverage.
• The bold nature of European Robins and why they are associated with Christmas; the mythical Phoenix, which rises from the ashes; and eagles, from their hunting prowess to their myriad stories and symbolism.

About the Author of "The Bird Book": Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk is a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Colorado. He is an evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist fascinated by the diversity that can be found within species, especially in sexual traits. During his Ph.D., he began studying White-necked Jacobin hummingbirds as a short-term fellow, and later as a Smithsonian predoctoral fellow. His findings, that some females of this species look like males while others do not, have become the cornerstone of his research program. He is inspired by the dizzying array of feather coloration that can be found in hummingbirds. After completing his Ph.D. at Cornell University, he moved to the University of Washington to study hummingbird movement and metabolism. Now at the University of Colorado, he is investigating the genetics and development of feather coloration. Jay currently lives in Gamboa, Panamá, where he studies the hummingbirds that visit the feeders at his house on the edge of the forest.

Adults and teens. Register to receive a link for viewing this online event.

This event is part of DBRL's Online Author Series, supported by David Lile honorarium funds. A recording will also be available for later viewing on the author series site.

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