Welcome to the Burley Lab site!

Our lab investigates social evolution, with an emphasis on sexual selection and communication in group-living birds, especially zebra finches.

We are currently studying how diet quality in early life influences the adult phenotype, including mate-getting ability, song traits, social behavior and reproductive success.

Lab news

April 2013: Undergraduate Armando Franco is admitted to St. George medical school!  Way to go, Armando!

March 2013:  Former undergraduate, Mary Bonaparte, receives the NSF pre-doctoral fellowship to work on elephant behavior and welfare at UC Davis!  Congratulations, Mary!

January 2013: Undergraduate Caitlyn Hwe is admitted to UC Davis veterinary school. Great job, Caitlyn!

April 2012:  Michelle Ontiveros receives an NSF pre-doctoral fellowship. Way to go, Michelle!

November 28, 2011: Diane Livio defends her doctoral thesis!  Congratulations, Dr. Livio!

Recent publications

PLoS ONE: Getting a head start In Behavioral Ecology: Nice guys finish last (2012)
Ethology: Female budgerigars choose virtual mates! (2011)

Photo credit: John Avise