R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar: What Migrating Birds Risk and Need

Dr. Lucas DeGroote takes the stage at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History on Thursday, November 5, for a talk titled What Migrating Birds Risk and Need. It's part of the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar, the museum's speaker series dedicated to nature, culture, and the future of life on Earth. The format is pretty straightforward: you get to hear from an academic researcher and then engage with them directly, rather than just sitting through a lecture.

DeGroote's talk centers on the sharp decline in North American bird populations, and it focuses on a specific, perilous part of that story: migration. For many landbirds, moving between breeding and wintering grounds is one of the most dangerous stretches of their entire lives, and that's exactly what he'll be unpacking—the risks they face and the things they need to survive the trip. If you've ever wondered why some birds make it and others don't, this is where you'll find the answer.

The seminar is sponsored by Highmark, and the session runs from 6 PM to 7 PM. You can catch it in person at the museum's Art Theater or join from home via Zoom, so you don't have to be downtown to listen in. It's free, and you don't need museum admission to attend. If you're into birds, conservation, or just how nature works, it's a good one to have on your radar.