Renowned ornithologist Jocelyn Hudon is a guest of the Friends of the Vernon Museum as they present “The Many Ways to Paint a Bird Red…or Colouration in Birds through Evolution,” May 5.
Hudon is curator of Ornithology at the Royal Alberta Museum. Born in Lac Etchemin, Qué., he obtained a B.Sc. in biology from Laval University and a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Connecticut for work on pigment use and the evolution of plumage colouration in birds. He spent three years in Saskatoon as a postdoc investigating the pigmentation of the iris of birds. Hudon is applying a multidisciplinary approach to the problem of the origin of new forms of birds.
This event was instigated by Friends member Marje Broomfield, whose late husband John (Jack) Broomfield was a 29-year member of the RCMP and avid nature lover, especially birds.
Broomfield began collecting birds’ eggs when he was 14 years old and had amassed an enormous egg and nest collection.
Family friend Alice Lee, with Friends of the Museum, said she offered to find out who would accept the collection.
“The Royal Alberta Museum came out tops,” said Lee. “I contacted Jocelyn Hudon and he said he would love to have the collection and would make arrangements to drive out and pick up and pack the collection for its return to Edmonton.
“As we were having a top ornithologist arriving in town I took the opportunity to ask if he would do a presentation on behalf of the museum which he happily agreed to.”
Hudon’s presentation takes place May 5 at the Schubert Centre at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. The centre is at 3505-30th Ave.
