Bruce Beehler
Encyclopedia
Dr. Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist
and vice-president of Conservation International
's Melanesia Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC).
Bruce Beehler graduated from Williams College
and received his Masters and PhD
on Birds of Paradise at Princeton University
.
He has been an authority on New Guinea
birds for several decades, having authored or co-authored several major works on the avifauna of this island, including Birds of Paradise (1998), The Birds of New Guinea (1986) and the two-volume The Birds of Papua New Guinea (1985).
To the general public, Beehler is best known for having co-lead a widely published survey on biological diversity in 2005 in the Foja Mountains
, Papua
, where he, together with an international team of 11 scientists, the majority from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences
(LIPI), made several significant discoveries.
The findings on this survey expanded on previous research conducted in the region by Dr. Jared Diamond
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Beehler and colleagues, however, returned with the first ever photographs of two species of birds, the Berlepsch's Parotia
(Parotia berlepschi) and the Golden-fronted Bowerbird
(Amblyornis flavifrons), that previously were known only from a few specimens. Additionally, a previously unknown species of honeyeater
was discovered, it being scientifically described in 2007 as the Wattled Smoky Honeyeater
(Melipotes carolae). The specific epithet, carolae, commemorates Carol Beehler, the wife of Bruce Beehler. Together with a team from 60 minutes
, Beehler returned to the Foja Mountains in 2007, resulting in the first ever filming of several of the species discovered in 2005, as well as encounters with an undescribed giant rat (Mallomys
sp.) and a tiny pygmy possum (Cercartetus
sp.).
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
and vice-president of Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
's Melanesia Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC).
Bruce Beehler graduated from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
and received his Masters and PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
on Birds of Paradise at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
He has been an authority on New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
birds for several decades, having authored or co-authored several major works on the avifauna of this island, including Birds of Paradise (1998), The Birds of New Guinea (1986) and the two-volume The Birds of Papua New Guinea (1985).
To the general public, Beehler is best known for having co-lead a widely published survey on biological diversity in 2005 in the Foja Mountains
Foja Mountains
The Foja Mountains are located just north of the Mamberamo river basin in Papua, Indonesia. The mountains rise to , and have 3,000 square kilometres of old growth tropical rainforest in the interior part of the range...
, Papua
Papua (Indonesian province)
Papua comprises most of the western half of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands. Its capital is Jayapura. It's the largest and easternmost province of Indonesia. The province originally covered the entire western half of New Guinea...
, where he, together with an international team of 11 scientists, the majority from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences
Indonesian Institute of Sciences
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences is the governmental authority for science and research in Indonesia...
(LIPI), made several significant discoveries.
The findings on this survey expanded on previous research conducted in the region by Dr. Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond
Jared Mason Diamond is an American scientist and author whose work draws from a variety of fields. He is currently Professor of Geography and Physiology at UCLA...
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Beehler and colleagues, however, returned with the first ever photographs of two species of birds, the Berlepsch's Parotia
Berlepsch's Parotia
The Bronze Parotia , also known as Berlepsch's Parotia or Berlepsch's Six-wired Bird of Paradise, is a medium-sized black bird of paradise with bronze-tinged upperparts, conspicuous white flank plumes, iridescent coppery-greenish breast plumes, and six flag-tipped head wires...
(Parotia berlepschi) and the Golden-fronted Bowerbird
Golden-fronted Bowerbird
The Golden-fronted Bowerbird, Amblyornis flavifrons is a medium-sized, approximately 24 cm long, brown bowerbird. The male is rufous brown with an elongated golden crest extending from its golden forehead, dark grey feet and buffish yellow underparts...
(Amblyornis flavifrons), that previously were known only from a few specimens. Additionally, a previously unknown species of honeyeater
Honeyeater
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to medium sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea, but also found in New Zealand, the Pacific islands as far east as Samoa and Tonga, and the islands to the north and west of New Guinea known as Wallacea...
was discovered, it being scientifically described in 2007 as the Wattled Smoky Honeyeater
Wattled Smoky Honeyeater
The Wattled Smoky Honeyeater is a species of honeyeater with a sooty-grey plumage and a black bill. The most distinctive feature is arguably the extensive reddish-orange facial skin and pendulous wattle...
(Melipotes carolae). The specific epithet, carolae, commemorates Carol Beehler, the wife of Bruce Beehler. Together with a team from 60 minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
, Beehler returned to the Foja Mountains in 2007, resulting in the first ever filming of several of the species discovered in 2005, as well as encounters with an undescribed giant rat (Mallomys
Mallomys
Mallomys is a genus of rodent in the family Muridae. The name of the genus derives from the Greek μαλλός, mallós, wool, and μῦς, mȳs, mouse/rat. These very large rats weigh between and are native to highlands in New Guinea...
sp.) and a tiny pygmy possum (Cercartetus
Cercartetus
The genus Cercartetus is a group of very small possums known as pygmy possums. Four species comprise this genus, which together with the genus Burramys make up the marsupial family Burramyidae....
sp.).
External links
- Birder's Paradise (Article about Dr. Beehler)
- Bruce Beehler, Ph.D. - Conservation International.
- BBC Story Coverage of the Foja Mountains New Guinea Expedition