Programs

Pierre Deviche

Hybrids

Maricopa Bird Alliance is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: MBA November meeting
Time: Nov 4, 2025 07:00 PM Arizona
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86175483420?pwd=0pmG7g7D2l9evVnbH8LW5EmyEpW1qU.1

Meeting ID: 861 7548 3420
Passcode: 513239

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/86175483420/invitations?signature=ROmqulpQXG8he4BD9ctaqhmoLOGM7r3u2h9dQxyZGPA

Hybrids result from the mating of two individuals of different species or subspecies. Naturally occurring hybrid birds are often neglected by birders and thought of as uninteresting biological oddities. Yet studying these birds can shed light on the processes of evolution and speciation, i.e., the formation of new species. I will discuss the prevalence of hybridization across avian groups, challenges associated with measuring and documenting this prevalence, some main unanswered questions, the contributions that birders can make to improving our understanding of these fascinating organisms, and the importance of avian hybridization in modern biological research.

Pierre Deviche received a Ph.D. in comparative neurobiology from The University of Liege, Belgium and pursued a career in environmental physiology for 40 years. He served on the faculty of The University of Alaska Fairbanks for 11 years and then as Professor of Environmental Physiology at Arizona State University until retiring last year. He is primarily interested in the behavioral and physiological adjustments of birds to their environment and in particular to urbanization. His research at ASU combined field and laboratory studies on several avian species, and focused on the effects of stress and reproductive hormones. His research has produced over 150 publications in the form of research articles and book chapters. He is an avid birder and served on the Arizona Bird Committee. He also has a keen interest in odonates and wildlife photography.

2 December 2025

The Little-known Little Feather

with Matt van Wallene

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84806545075?pwd=lk06sd7DQfTVAzD9vkWiFkBzWaED0A.1

Meeting ID: 848 0654 5075
Passcode: 805462

After fifteen years of birding, health issues grounded Matt. He backfilled his birding time by securing a federal and state feather license to study auriculares or ear coverts. With the help of MBA and other networks, the study has covered 60 species spanning 14 orders from hummingbirds to an ostrich. The research is so unique he anticipates that all attendees will learn a minimum of 10 facts! The presentation will include vocal, visual and tactile channels.

6 January 2026

Ecuador 2025

with Jeff Goulding

Jeff Goulding will share photographs from his most recent trip to Ecuador, the fifth most bird-species rich country in the world. his third time to this rich and beautiful country. On his third trip to this beautiful country this two-week trip was to the north, with extended stays at two lodges.

Jeff is a photographer who worked at a daily newspaper in New York for nearly 30 years. He was down-sized and subsequently taught photojournalism and a Digital Media course at Marist College for 10 years.

Jeff was introduced to birding as a child from his father in Montana. Whether on fishing trips or hunting, birds were always pointed out with much gusto. He was then reintroduced to birding after moving to New York where the bug bit hard. He became involved in the Edgar A. Mearns Bird Club in Orange County, NY, serving two two-year terms as its’ president. He is currently serving as MBA Membership Chair.

January 10, 2026

Bird & Insect Photography Workshop

with Pierre Deviche

Southeast Gilbert Regional Library Alcott Room, 775 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ

$10 MBA members.    $15 non-MBA members

Classroom session starts shortly after doors open at 8:00AM until 9:45 or 10:00 AM. Field portion follows in the Gilbert Preserve at Water Ranch

Limit: 12. Registration required. Registration link coming soon.

The workshop will focus on bird and insect photography. It will begin with 1.5 - 2-hour indoor session that will cover four topics: choice of photography equipment, best camera settings, tips for improving the quality of one’s photographs, and image processing. This will be followed with a leisurely walk through the Gilbert Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (which is next door) during which we will look for birds and winter insects, and practice what we just learned. The workshop is open to all, from beginners to seasoned photographers, members and non-members.