Indoor Program – Kevin Burgio – The History, Biology, and Extinction of the Carolina Parakeet

Few would argue that the saddest word in a birder’s ID vocabulary is extinction. Yet that’s been the fate of too many avian species in the past and the threat ever grows. At this meeting, Kevin will discuss what is known about the history, biology, and extinction of one such vanished bird, the splendidly colorful Carolina Parakeet, described by some as possibly having been the most colorful bird in North America. Kevin will explain how his research, using modern research methods, may help shed new light on the extinction of this fascinating and iconic species. His research fo- cuses on the mechanisms of species range limitations and how  disturbance (climate change and habitat fragmentation) influ- ences patterns of species distribution and extinction processes.  Kevin graduated summa cum laude from UConn in ecology and evolutionary biology and is now a Ph.D. candidate there. He is a Visiting Scientist at Fairfield University and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.