Comparative Biomechanics, Functional Morphology, Muscle Physiology

Central to the biology of birds, bats, and insects: flight requires more power output than any other form of animal locomotion.   Ultimately, I seek to understand how flight has shaped the ecology and evolution of birds.   I use a variety of  techniques to explore the mechanisms of bird flight in both the laboratory and in the field.  Much of my recent work uses a laser-based system to measure patterns of air flow about the wings and in the wake of flying birds.  I am working to relate these flow dynamics to the in vivo muscle work and power output produced during flight.

Although my primary focus is on bird flight, I am also deeply interested in a wide array of topics in comparative biomechanics and functional morphology. I am open to advising graduate students who wish to study taxa other than birds and other forms of animal performance including swimming and feeding.  I also have an abiding interest in the conservation biology of cavity-nesting birds.