Terry Chesser

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Biological Survey Unit – Birds

National Museum of Natural History

P. O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012

Fax:   202-357-1932

Email:   Terry_Chesser@usgs.gov  

Research Zoologist and Curator of Birds

Education/Training: 

B.A., Georgia State University, 1982, Political Science

Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 1995, Zoology

Dissertation: Biogeographic, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of South American austral migration, with special reference to the family Tyrannidae (tyrant-flycatchers)

Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of South American birds, especially suboscines

South American austral migration and movement patterns of birds generally

Systematics and biogeography of Australasian and North American birds and mammals

Elective Member, American Ornithologists’ Union, 2000

Active Projects: 

Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of the Furnariidae (ovenbirds)

Seasonal distribution and biogeography of South American austral migrant flycatchers

Phylogeography and movement patterns of Australian waterbirds

Systematics and biogeography of Australasian birds

Publications/Products: 

Chesser, R. T.  2004.  Molecular systematics of New World suboscine birds.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32: 11-24.

Chesser, R. T.  2000.  Evolution in the high Andes: the phylogenetics of Muscisaxicola ground-tyrants.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 15: 369-380.

Chesser, R. T. and D. J. Levey.  1998.  Austral migrants and the evolution of migration in New World birds: diet, habitat, and migration revisited.  American Naturalist 152: 311-319.

Chesser, R. T.  1998.  Further perspectives on the breeding distribution of migratory birds: South American austral migrant flycatchers.  Journal of Animal Ecology 67: 69-77.

Chesser, R. T. and R. M. Zink.  1994.  Modes of speciation in birds: a test of Lynch’s method.  Evolution 48: 490-497.