Evolution of Hovering Flight in Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Robert Dudley, Professor
Integrative Biology
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas, but in Africa and Asia some members of a different bird family (the sunbirds, Nectariniidae) can also hover, albeit for relatively short durations. This behavior has never been systematically characterized, however, and this project will survey existing video sequences from on-line ornithological databases to identify and characterize hovering behavior and its ecological context in all of the ~135 species of sunbird.
Role: This project will involve reading of relevant scientific literature, evaluation of on-line video databases to assess hovering behavior in all sunbird species, and analysis of the occurrence and duration of hovering across an evolutionary tree for the family so as to understand the origins and diversification of this distinctive flight behavior. Learning outcomes will include experience in ornithological systematics, training in aerodynamic approaches to describing hovering behavior, learning how to write a scientific paper for publication, and increased conversancy with current concepts in both flight biomechanics and evolutionary biology.
Qualifications: Interest in ornithology and bird behavior is desirable. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application along with a short statement that includes any background relevant for this position, along with a current transcript and curriculum vitae.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Biological & Health Sciences