Professor of Biology and Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of the Sciences Jordan Price’s research, previously published in the Royal Society Journal “Proceedings B,” is featured on page 22 of the print edition of National Geographic’s December edition.
Prices’ research focuses on how among passerine birds, a group which includes more than half of all avian species, most species build open cup-shaped nests. A minority build more elaborate roofed structures. His study shows that, contrary to previous assumptions and despite their relative rarity, roofed nests were constructed by the common ancestor of all modern passerines. Open cup nests evolved multiple times independently during early passerine evolution on the Australian continent, eventually becoming the most common nest type across the world today.
This is the second time Price’s research has appeared in National Geographic, but the first time it has appeared in the print version.
