Iowa Scientists Use Birdwatching to Fuel Discovery

A white-breasted nuthatch spotted during a blizzard changed Christopher Brochu's life, turning a geology student into both a world-class paleontologist and dedicated birder.

Now a professor at the University of Iowa, Brochu studies ancient crocodiles by examining fossils from around the world. But he credits his birdwatching skills with making him better at spotting subtle differences between specimens.

"Studying fossils makes me a better birder, but working on birds makes me a better paleontologist," says Brochu, who identified a previously unknown crocodile species in Ethiopia that lived over 3 million years ago.

The connection runs deeper than casual observation. Brochu teaches his students that birds are actually dinosaurs, evolved from small, bipedal theropods during the Mesozoic era and sharing traits like feathers, hollow bones, and nest building.

His research expeditions blend scientific work with natural wonder. In Uganda in 2016, Brochu watched a shoebill, a prehistoric-looking bird, eating a lungfish in the wild. The rare sighting remains one of his most treasured memories.

Why This Inspires

Brochu's story shows how slowing down to observe nature can unlock new ways of thinking. The same skills that help him identify a warbler on a morning walk in Iowa City's Hickory Hill Park also help him classify ancient species that lived millions of years ago.

His approach challenges the image of scientists working only in sterile labs. Instead, curiosity about the living world around us can sharpen our minds and deepen our professional expertise.

The practice offers benefits beyond career advancement. Birdwatching keeps Brochu connected to seasonal changes, gets him outside regularly, and introduces him to like-minded people who share his passion for discovery.

Students at the University of Iowa can see the same birds that inspired Brochu's journey. Bald eagles circle the Iowa River, Canadian geese waddle across campus, and songbirds perch in trees, offering daily reminders that scientific inspiration lives right outside our doors.

"There are as many reasons to bird as there are birds, and you're always going to have a good time doing it," Brochu says, capturing the simple joy that fuels groundbreaking research.