In response to my last email, a number of people have asked me privately
what type of physiological research is being conducted on Australian birds
by researchers at the University of Frankfurt.
There are 3 research groups in the Department of Zoology, University of
Frankfurt which study the physiology of Australian birds:
1. Team Leader: Dr Elke Schleucher. This group studies the energetics and
behaviour of Australian arid-zone birds, especially pigeons and doves (see
March 1998 issue of Wingspan). Some of this work is done in collaboration
with A/Prof. Phil Withers at the University of Western Australia.
2. Team Leader: Professor Roland Prinzinger. This group principally studies
temperature and water regulation of birds eggs at different stages of
embryonic development (of the birds, not the researchers!). Emus and Magpie
Geese are among the species that have been studied in recent times.
3. Team Leader: Professor Wolfgang Wiltschko. This group studies the
influence of the Earth's electromagnetic field in the migratory orientation
of birds. In recent years, this group has worked in collaboration with Dr
Ursula Munro (currently at the University of Technology, Sydney), focussing
on Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and Silvereyes.
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Dr Stephen Ambrose
Research Manager
Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union)
Australian Bird Research Centre
415 Riversdale Road,
Hawthorn East,
VIC 3123.
Tel: +61 3 9882 2622
Fax: +61 3 9882 2677
Email: S.Ambrose <> (at work)
<> (at home)
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