November 17th – Moving on up: Relationships between Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees in the face of Climate Change – with Bob Curry – in person and via Zoom

The closest relative of the black-capped chickadee—Maine’s state bird—is the Carolina chickadee. The geographic ranges of these sister species overlap just a little, along an east-west line extending from New Jersey to Kansas. In the narrow zone of overlap, the two species hybridize frequently.

Bob Curry, his students from Villanova University, and various collaborators have studied chickadee hybridization at multiple Pennsylvania sites for more than a quarter century. Dr. Curry will discuss highlights of this work, including methods and findings. The research program has combined intensive field study of chickadee breeding biology and investigation of behavioral interactions in the nonbreeding seasons. Because the two species are so similar, the research has also relied heavily on genetic analysis.

A point of emphasis throughout has been the northward movement of the hybrid zone: Carolina chickadees have advanced rapidly at the expense of black-caps, while interbreeding along the way. Although Carolina chickadees will not join us in Maine in the immediate future, the presentation will provide general information about chickadee biology along with food for thought about some underappreciated consequences of climate warming.

Bob Curry has been studying chickadees for decades, and one of his particular focus areas has been the relationship between Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees, and their evolving territories.  He became a professor at Villanova University in 1991, and now serves as a Professor Emeritus.  One further note: he has recently migrated to Maine himself, and we’re delighted to welcome him to our birding community.

Please note that the Mather Auditorium, our usual venue, will be closed for some construction work in November, so we’ll be hosting this program in the Wells Reserve’s Coastal Ecology Center’s Gallery instead.  The Ecology Center is located right behind the barn that houses the Mather Auditorium.  Walking from the parking area, just go around the right side (the front!) of the barn, and it will be the next building back on your left.  

The event will be free and open to all ages, and no registration is required for attending the program in person. It will also be live-streamed via Zoom.  To view via Zoom, you’ll need to register in advance.  To do so, please click on this link and enter your name and email address:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_81HYBRPUQpqapnas5VDSvg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We hope you can join us in-person, or, if not, via Zoom!