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Contact Information

Education

• Postdoctoral training: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, CA
• Ph.D.: Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA
• B.A.: Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Research/Areas of Interest

I study animal communication and social behavior. My research focuses on bird song as a model system for understanding how signals evolve in nature. To understand song function I examine how individuals use vocal signals within particular environmental and social contexts. I study larger patterns of song evolution by measuring how songs vary through time and space, both within and between species. Current projects examine the function and evolution of male and female vocalizations among Parrots, Colorado wren species, New World sparrows, and Old World warblers. Research in the lab combines field observation, population-monitoring, and sound recording analyses within a phylogenetic context.

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Publications/Creative Works

 

Selected research publications

Browse Lauryn Benedict’s  Academic publications at her . 

• Sanchez KA, Fialko K, Benedict L, Cicero C (2023) Time alters urban singing strategies in a North American songbird. Journal of Urban Ecology 9(1)
• Benedict L, Charles A, Brockington A, Dahlin C (2022) A Survey of Vocal Mimicry in Companion Parrots. Scientific Reports 20271. 
• Benedict L, Hardt B, Dargis L (2021) Form and function predict acoustic transmission properties of the songs of male and female canyon wrens. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 
• Wilkins MR, Odom KJ, Benedict L, Safran R (2020). Analysis of female song provides insight into the evolution of sex differences in a widely studied songbird. Animal Behaviour 168:69-82.
• Covy N, Keeley WH, Benedict L (2019) Rock climbing activity and physical habitat attributes impact avian community diversity in cliff environments. PLOS One 14: e0209557
• Najar N, Benedict L (2018) The relationship between latitude, migration and the evolution of bird song complexity. Ibis 161:1-12.
• Odom KJ, Benedict L (2018). A call to document female bird songs: applications for diverse fields. Auk: Ornithological Advances 135: 314-325.
• Najar N, Benedict L (2015) Female Song in New World Wood-Warblers (Parulidae). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 3:139.
• Warning N., Benedict L. (2015) Paving the way: Functional nest architecture of the rock wren. Auk: Ornithological Advances. 132:288-299.
• Dahlin C., Benedict L., (2013) Angry birds need not apply: A perspective on the flexible form and multi-functionality of avian vocal duets. Ethology. 119:1-10.
• Benedict L, Rose A, Warning N (2012) Canyon wrens alter their songs in response to territorial challenges. Animal Behaviour. 84:1463-1467
• Benedict L, Bowie RCK (2009) Macrogeographical variation in the song of a widely distributed African warbler. Biology Letters. 5:484-487.
• Benedict L (2008) Occurrence and life history correlates of vocal duetting in North American passerines. Journal of Avian Biology. 39: 57-65.