What can a bird that’s part one species and part another teach us about evolution?

More than you might think. Scientists estimate that 10 to 20 percent of bird species hybridize with at least one other species, creating unexpected pairings that offer a rare window into how new species emerge, remain distinct and adapt to a changing world.

Join us at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for an engaging exploration of bird hybridization with Dr. Garth Spellman, Director of Zoology and Curator of Ornithology at the Museum. For more than 20 years, Dr. Spellman has studied birds to better understand some of biology’s most fundamental questions. His research combines fieldwork, genetics, and evolutionary biology to uncover the forces that shape biodiversity across time and place.

In this fascinating program, Dr. Spellman will reveal how hybridization allows scientists to investigate the boundaries between species. Which genes and physical traits help keep species separate? Why do some species interbreed while others remain distinct? And how do environmental changes influence these complex relationships?

Drawing on examples from Colorado and around the world, Dr. Spellman will share stories of the remarkable bird populations that have become natural laboratories for studying evolution in action. From hybrid birds that may visit your own backyard to iconic examples such as the Italian sparrow, these feathered anomalies are helping researchers better understand how species form, adapt and persist.

Combining cutting-edge science with insights from decades of research, this program offers a closer look at the dynamic and often surprising nature of evolution. Whether you're an avid birder, a nature enthusiast or simply curious about the diversity of life on Earth, you'll come away with a new appreciation for the birds that are rewriting what we know about species and their origins.