We use molecular phylogenies and population genetic studies of closely related bird species to study character evolution, speciation, and systematics. Recent research has focused on the New World orioles (Icterus), other Icterids and speciation in reverse in ravens (Corvus corax). We are interested in plumage color and song evolution, especially elaborate female color and song in tropical birds. We also study a variety of topics related to recent speciation, including lineage sorting, hybridization and building phylogenetic trees of recently diverged species.

PhD STUDENT OPENINGS: The lab has openings for new PhD students interested in the types of research described above.

For a detailed description of our earlier research see The Omland Lab









For a non-technical description of our research from the UMBC Magazine see http://www.umbc.edu/magazine/fall09/discovery.html#oriole