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Expert Source: Edward H. Burtt, Jr., Ph.D.
Jed Burtt is an ornithologist whose research into the microbiology of feathers has led to his discovery of feather-degrading bacteria on wild birds, new insights into the evolution of avian coloration, and patents on a process to breakup feather-waste from the poultry industry. He also serves as co-director of the Ohio Wesleyan Honors Program, and president of the American Ornithologists’ Union, the world’s largest organization devoted to the scientific study of birds.
Education:
- A.B., Bowdoin College
- M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Areas of Expertise:
- Ornithology
- Bird feathers
- Bird-feather degradation
Books:
- Burtt, E.H., Jr. 2007. The Nearctic Region. in (ed. A. Gosler) Birds of the World. Phillips Press, London. (in press).
- Burtt E.H., Jr. 1986. An analysis of physical, physiological and optical aspects of avian coloration with emphasis on Wood Warblers. Ornithol. Monogr. 38:x + 1-126.
- Burtt, E.H., Jr. (ed.) 1979. The behavioral significance of color. Garland STPM Press, New York, xiv + 456 pp.
Scientific Articles:
- Peele, A.M., Burtt, E.H., Jr, Schroeder, M.R., and Greenberg, R.S. 2009. Dark color of the Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow may be an evolutionary response to occurrence and abundance of salt-tolerant feather-degrading bacilli in its plumage. Auk 126: in press.
- Burtt, E.H., Jr. and Ichida, J.M.. 2004. Gloger’s Rule, feather-degrading bacteria, and color variation among Song Sparrows. Condor 106: 681-686.
- Burtt, E.J., Jr. 2009. A future with feather-degrading bacteria. Journal of Avian Biology 40: in press.
Related Information: