THINK LIKE A RAVEN is a culmination of John Marzluff’s collaborative work detailing the intertwined lives of ravens, wolves, pumas, and the people who visit and live around Yellowstone. The talk’s arc follows the seasons of Yellowstone and the scientific journey he undertook to decode the mysteries of raven life. With colleagues, he tagged 60 birds with state-of-the-art transmitters. The birds shared their secrets as they flew a hundred miles directly to new kills, commandeered territory, found mates, and reared young. The picture that emerged from their study was that of a highly opportunistic bird with the knowledge that allowed them to exploit wolves but not depend on them. Observations revealed a tenuous and evolving relationship between humans, wolves, and ravens, and the challenges animals face when they wander beyond the protection a national park provides.
About Our Speaker
John Marzluff is James W. Ridgeway Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington. His
graduate (Northern Arizona University) and initial post-doctoral (University of Vermont) research focused on
the social behavior and ecology of jays and ravens. He continues this theme investigating the intriguing
behavior of crows, ravens, and jays. His current research focuses on the interactions of ravens and wolves in
Yellowstone. He teaches Ornithology, Governance and Conservation of Rare Species, Field Research in
Yellowstone, and Natural and Cultural History of Costa Rica.
Professor Marzluff has written six books and edited several others. His Welcome to Subirdia (2014 Yale)
reveals that moderately settled lands host a splendid array of biological diversity and suggests ways in which
people can steward these riches to benefit birds and themselves. His most recent In Search of Meadowlarks
(2020 Yale) connects our agriculture and diets to the conservation of birds and other wildlife.
Dr. Marzluff has mentored over 40 graduate students and authored over 170 scientific papers on various
aspects of bird behavior and wildlife management. He is a member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s
Recovery Team for the critically endangered Mariana Crow, a former member of the Washington Biodiversity
Council, a Fellow of the American Ornithologist’s Union, a Fellow of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, and a National Geographic Explorer.
Details, Details
This special in-person SAS program will be held at the Ellen Theatre on December 11th. Doors open at 6 PM;
the program will begin at 7 PM. This program is free and open the public. A $5 suggested donation is
appreciated. For virtual attendance, please register at
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6396590749207113560. After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
SAS monthly programs are free and open to the public, featuring special guest speakers the 2nd Monday of
each month, September through May. For more information, contact Ken Sinay at
programs@sacajaweaaudubon.org.
