Peter Lowther

Research Associate

Science Focus
Topic(S)
Administrative Area(s)

My research interests have included study of breeding biology of birds at population and community levels and work to understand the ecology and evolution of avian brood parasitism and resultant interactions between host and parasite populations. Active projects include monitoring breeding biology of a suburban nesting colony of House Sparrows (since 1988) and study of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Active projects include monitoring breeding biology of a suburban nesting colony of House Sparrows (since 1988) and study of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Education and Work

  • B.S., Zoology, Iowa State University, 1970

  • M.A., Systematics and Ecology, University of Kansas, 1976

  • Ph.D., Systematics and Ecology, University of Kansas, 1979

Accomplishments

  • Fellow, American Ornithologists' Union
  • Editor, Inland Bird Banding Association (for North American Bird Bander)

Grants & awards

Honored with Marion Jenkinson AOU Service Award (The Auk 120: 233-234, 2003)

Selected publications

  • Lowther, P. E.  2012.  Does nest-box size impact clutch size of House Sparrows?  Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124: 384-389.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2011.  Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, ed.). Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY
  • Lowther, P. E.  2010.  Black-headed Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, ed.). Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY
  • Lowther, P. E.  2009.  Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, ed.). Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY
  • Lowther, P. E.  2009.  Bay-winged Cowbird (Agelaioides badius), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, ed.). Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY 
  • Lowther, P. E., R. Fraga, T. S. Schulenberg & S. M. Lanyon, 2004. Nomenclatural solution for a polyphyletic Agelaius.  Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. 124: 171-177 
  • Lowther, P. E., 2002. Dodos and solitaires (Raphidae), pp. 269-274. in Grzmek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., vol. 9, Birds II(M. Hutchins, J. A. Jackson, W. J. Bock and D. Olendorf, eds.) . Gale Group, Farmington Hills, MI.
  • Lowther, P. E., and C. T. Collins.  2002.  Black Swift (Cypseloides niger).  The Birds of North America, No. 676
  • Lowther, P. E.  2002. Red-billed Pigeon (Columba flavirostris).The Birds of North America. No. 644.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2001.  Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis).  The Birds of North America, No. 590.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2001.  Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris).  The Birds of North America, No. 565.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2000.  Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) and Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis).  The Birds of North America, No. 556.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2000.  Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii).  The Birds of North America, No. 555.
  • Lowther, P. E.  2001. New name for the Bolivian Blackbird. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. 121: 280-281.
  • Lowther, P. E., C Celada, N K Klein, C C Rimmer & D A Spector, 1999. Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) The Birds of North America. No. 454
  • Lowther, P. E.  1999.  Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum).  The Birds of North America, No. 446.
  • Lowther, P. E. & W. Post, 1999. Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis). The Birds of North America. No. 399
  • Lowther, P. E.  1996. Breeding biology of House Sparrows: observations of a suburban colony. Meadowlark. 5: 2-7.
  • Lowther, P. E.  1995.  Ornithology at the Field Museum, pp 145-161.  In Contributions to the History of North American Ornithology (W. E. Davis, Jr., & J. A. Jackson, Eds).  Memoirs of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, No. 12.
  • Lowther, P. E. 1995. Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus).The Birds of North America. No. 144
  • Lowther, P. E. 1993. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater).The Birds of North America. No. 47
  • Lowther, P. E., & C. L. Cink, 1992. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). The Birds of North America. No.12
  • Lowther, P. E. 1990. Breeding biology of House Sparrows: patterns in intra-clutch variation in egg size. in Granivorous birds in the agricultural landscape(J Pinowski & S D Summers-Smith, eds.) . pp 137-149.
  • Folkers, K. L., and P. E. Lowther.  1985.  Responses of nesting Red-winged Blackbirds and Yellow Warblers to Brown-headed Cowbirds.  Journal of Field Ornithology 56: 175-177.
  • Lowther, P. E.  1985.  Catalog of Brown-headed Cowbird hosts in Iowa.  Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 92: 95-99.
  • Lowther, P. E. 1984. Cowbird nest selection. Wilson Bulletin. 96: 103-107
  • Lowther, P. E.  1983.  Breeding biology of House Sparrows: Intercolony variation.  Occasional Papers, Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, No. 107: 1-17.
  • Lowther, P. E. 1979. Growth and dispersal of nestling House Sparrows: sexual differences. Inland Bird Banding. 51: 23-29
  • Lowther, P. E. 1977. Selection intensity in North American House Sparrows Passer domesticus. Evolution. 31: 649-656
  • Lowther, P. E. 1975. Geographic and ecological variation in the family Icteridae. Wilson Bulletin. 87: 481-495