Welcome to the Birds Collection
Collection Statistics
The bird collection totals 2100 specimens. The primary geographic area of representation is the western Edwards Plateau of Texas . A minor collection from Guyana , South America is present.
The collection began in 1968, and remained relatively small for twenty years. Within the last decade, collection organization has formalized and rate of specimen addition has accelerated. A significant portion (ca. 35%) of the collection is of teaching material ( much from zoology gardens). Since the collection's inception, the curator has been Dr. Terry C. Maxwell.
The main function of the bird collection is teaching, although research quality data with specimens are available and have contributed to published ornithology.
Specimens are available for examination in the collection area. Request for visitation should precede a trip to the university as staffing and hours are irregular. Specimens can be sent on loan, usually not to exceed 60 days without justification.
Database:
Data for specimens in the Collection of Birds is entered in a Specify database. Selected information from the database are searchable through our web interface. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of catalogue information, researchers should verify information before use or publication. For additional information not provided through the searchable web interface, or if you have questions, please contact the curator.
Curator of Birds
Dr. Maxwell received BS and PhD degrees in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M University and a MS degree in Biology from Angelo State University . A lifelong interest in birds has involved extensive field collection and bird community description in South America ( Ecuador , Peru , and Guyana ), Alaska and Texas . He has conducted field collections of mammals in El Salvador , Honduras , and the Yucatan of Mexico . Currently, he serves on the Texas Bird Records Committee of the Texas Ornithology Society.
At Angelo State University , the advanced level course he teaches include: ornithology, vertebrate zoology, biogeography, and natural history of the Concho Valley . At the University of Oklahoma Biological Station at Lake Texoma he has taught bird ecology.
He has directed thesis research of fifteen master's level graduate students. Recently student research has included: karyotypic description of North American wrens, behavioral ecology of Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, foraging behavior of Vermillion Flycatchers and wintering shorebirds, and structure of Neotropical migrant breeding bird communities.
Recent Publications
Minzenmayer, S.M, T.C.Maxwell, and R.C. Dowler. 1995. Karyotypes of seven species of North American wrens (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae). Texas Journal of Science 47(4):269-276.
Maxwell, T.C. 1996. Catalog of Vertebrates of the Cocho Valley Region of Texas . Wm.C. Brown Publ., Dubuque Iowa . vi + 111 pp.
Boyd, R.A., R.C. Dowler, and T.C. Maxwell. 1997. The Mammals of Tom Green County , Texas . Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University , Lubbock , Texas .
Husak, M.S. and T.C. Maxwell. 1998 Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons). In. The Birds of North America , No. 373 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia , PA.
Dowler, R.C., R.C. Dawkins, and T.C. Maxwell. 1999. Range extensions for the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) in west Texas . Texas Journal of Science 51(2):193-196.
Maxwell, T.C. and M.S. Husak. 1999. Common Black-Hawk nesting in west-central Texas . Jour. Raptor Research 33(3):270-271.
Husak, M.S. and T.C. Maxwell. 2000. A review of 20th century range expansion and population trends of the Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons): historical and ecological perspectives. Texas Journal of Science 52(4):275-284.