About John

John Marzluff studies how humans affect birds through habitat fragmentation and increased urbanization, as well as the challenges of conserving birds on islands. He focuses primarily on corvids—that is, ravens, crows, and jays—but he has also worked with falcons and hawks throughout the world. Conversely, he is also interested in all the ways that birds affect people—how, for instance, birds influence art, or language. In addition to his research, he has written several popular science books about crows, including, most recently, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans. In recognition of his work, he has been awarded the H.R. Painton Awards from the Cooper Ornithological Society, as well as the Washington State Book Award for general non-fiction.

Thursday - Pre-Welcome Reception Talk

Please RSVP as there will be food offered at the reception after the talk. You can register using the category “No Registration Fee (only for Free Activities).” You will see all of our seminars listed as well. They are free and open to the public.

Friday - Global Premiere of "The Raven in Yellowstone"

Global Premiere of
THE RAVEN IN YELLOWSTONE

 ONLY OPEN TO REGISTRANTS

Wings Over Willcox is excited to offer the first ever showing of THE RAVEN IN YELLOWSTONE covers one year in the life of a mated pair of ravens that nest in Yellowstone National Park, raise their young, and interact with other predators.  There are many unique, behavioral sequences including: cub grizzlies chasing a raven, intimate nesting, interacting with wolves and other predators, and ravens at play both in the air and on the ground. 
 
We are honored to have the documentary introduced by John Marzluff, PhD, and Colleen Marzluff, MSc, both key contributors and science advisors to the film production.
 
THE RAVEN IN YELLOWSTONE, a documentary produced by Bob Landis, an independent cinematographer and filmmaker who has coproduced many wildlife documentaries with National Geographic Television, PBS’s NATURE and BBC.  Many of his documentaries have received awards, including two Emmys.  Bob and his partner, Dale Johnson, also have a wolf documentary, WOLF DYNASTY: WHITE WOLF, airing on the National Geographic Channel this month as well. 

Saturday - John's Banquet Presentation

Mischievous, playful, social, and passionate—these all describe Corvids, our crows, ravens, and jays. They have brains that are huge for their body size and exhibit an avian kind of eloquence. They mate for life and associate with relatives and neighbors for years. And because they often live near people—in our gardens, parks, and cities—they are also keenly aware of our peculiarities, staying away from and even scolding anyone who threatens or harms them and quickly learning to recognize and approach those who care for and feed them, even giving them numerous, oddly touching gifts in return. The ongoing connection between humans and our ravens and crows—a cultural co-evolution—has shaped both our species and theirs for millions of years. And the characteristics of Corvids that allow this symbiotic relationship are language, delinquency, frolic, passion, wrath, risk-taking, and awareness—seven traits that humans find strangely familiar.

John's Books