Welcome to the EGI

Oxford University LogoThe Edward Grey Institute is part of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford. Founded in 1937, it conducts research into the behaviour, ecology, evolution and conservation of birds, with a strong emphasis on understanding organisms in their natural environments. Read more on the history of the EGI.

The EGI is particularly well known for its long-term population studies of birds, and as one of the birthplaces of behavioural ecology. These research themes are as strong as ever, and have recently been supplemented by vigorous programmes studying reproductive strategies in birds, speciation in Neotropical passerines, and the evolutionary ecology of avian malaria. For a quick overview of what we do, see this poster.

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Research Highlights

April 15, 2013

» Mhc-linked avian malaria resistance in wild great tits

A study on great tits published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that individuals with particular functional variants (supertypes) of Mhc are more resistant to two different malaria parasite species common in the environment.

Read paper

February 22, 2013

» Evolutionary divergence in acoustic signals

A review published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution sets out a conceptual framework for understanding and testing the processes driving signal divergence and speciation in acoustically communicating animals. Read paper | Front cover

January 21, 2013

» The polyandry revolution

A themed issue  of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B edited by Tom Pizzari shows how polyandry is emerging as a lens through which scientists can resolve their understanding of a diverse range of ecological and evolutionary processes, from selfish genetic elements to extinction risk and conservation  Read issue | Press release

January 15, 2013

» Fitness consequences of Mhc variation in a wild population

A study published in Molecular Ecology demonstrates a link between Mhc supertypes, adult survival and lifetime reproductive success in wild great tits | Read paper

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Upcoming Events & Seminars

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