A free public lecture will ruffle a few feathers at the University of Bath on Wednesday 11 November, when the family dynamics of birds is revealed to be not quite all it seems.
Professor Tamás Székely, from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, will dispel the harmonious impression of bird family relationships and explain how sex, conflicts and cooperation shape their lives.
His inaugural lecture will feature research carried out at the University’s Biodiversity Lab which studies ecology, behaviour, conservation and evolution.
Professor Székely said: “Birds, like humans, spend most of their life in families. They epitomise love, pair bonds and devoted parentage. Recent research, however, shows that the harmonious impression of avian families is misleading. Males and females often cheat on each other, and families of many birds are fraught with conflicts.”
The lecture will take place in Lecture Theatre 3WN 2.1 on Wednesday 11 November and will start at 6.15pm. Free tickets are available from the Faculty of Science Office on 01225 383647 or email fs-admin@bath.ac.uk
For more information please visit the public lectures website