Evolution of bird nest construction behavior

Bird nest types vary remarkably from simple scratches on the ground to complex spherical nests hanging in trees.  The remarkable diversity reflects adaptation to various breeding environments across the globe.  Our research reveals evolutionary patterns in nest characters across all bird families, illuminating that avian nest-building is not a singular behavior but a complex of distinct components that determine nest site, nest structure and nest attachment.  These nest characters follow different evolutionary trajectories, suggesting separate genetic bases.  Through phylogenetic comparison, behavioral experiments and genetic analysis, we examine the evolutionary interactions among nests, eggs and birds, while also investigating the physiological and genetic mechanisms underlying avian nest construction.  We aim to elucidate the roles of nests in the breeding strategies, ecological adaptation and evolution of birds.

(Illustrations of nesting experiments by Hsiang-Ching Chen)

Genomic mechanism of ecological adaptation

Genomic data offers unprecedented insight into the molecular underpinnings of phenotypic evolution, including local adaptation and behavioral specialization.  Our lab investigates the genomic basis of ecological adaptation of widespread avian species to examine the driving forces behind ecological speciation.  We also work to establish the association between genetic variations and morphological and behavioral traits in birds that improves understanding of avian adaptive radiation and convergent evolution.  These studies provide a window into both historical adaptative processes and potential future responses to changing conditions.

Population genomics of birds

Genomic data is powerful to reconstruct species’ population history and origins.  Whole genome sequencing offers particular value for studying rare species where limited sample sizes often preclude reliable historical inferences using conventional approaches.  Through collaborating with scientists in China, our genomic analyses have shown that anthropogenic factors have pushed the endangered green peafowl to the edge of extinction, generating valuable information for conservation strategies.  Our genomic investigations extend to domesticate species as well, where we have decoded the domestication history of a pet bird—the society finch.  This study also establishes an important foundation for unveiling the mechanisms underlying phenotypic changes throughout the domestication process.

(Illustration of the Eurasian nuthatch by Hsiang-Ching Chen)

Urban bird ecology

While urbanization has caused widespread habitat loss, species with high tolerance to anthropogenic disturbances thrive in urban environment.  The adaptive mechanism enabling colonization of these novel habitat is an interesting evolutionary question.  As urban areas increasingly host diverse avian species, new interspecific interactions emerge, altering the structure of the growing communities.  Thus, understanding how early urban-dwelling species respond to newcomers provides important insight into community evolution and informs conservation strategies in human-dominated landscapes.  We have studied barn swallows, Taiwan blue magpies and other urban birds to address these questions, bridging ecological theory with practical conservation.