We will explore the evolution of sexually selected plumage traits—how these traits develop in birds and how bluebirds use them to signal behavior and individual quality. Discussion will include the roles of maternal effects, environmental conditions, and overall health and nutrition in shaping variation in plumage color.
Speaker Matt Jenkins is a 4th year PhD candidate in Dr. Renée Duckworth’s Lab at The University of Arizona. He broadly studies how behavior evolves, specifically looking at how developmental stress impacts both avian behavior and plumage color variation using bluebirds as a model study system. He is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina where he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degree at NC State University.
From September through April, the Monthly Speaker Series hosts live presentations by experts at the Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, which are also presented live on Zoom. Come in person for socializing and refreshments before an informative talk. The doors open at 6pm with the speaker beginning at 7pm.
