Postdoctoral training: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, CA Ph.D.: Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA B.A.: Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

I study animal communication and social behavior. My research focuses on bird song as a model system for understanding how signals evolve in nature. To understand song function I examine how individuals use vocal signals within particular environmental and social contexts. I study larger patterns of song evolution by measuring how songs vary through time and space, both within and between species. Current projects examine the function and evolution of song and duets among Colorado wren species, New World sparrows, and Old World warblers. Research in the lab combines field observation, population-monitoring, and sound recording analyses within a phylogenetic context.

Warning N, Benedict L (2016) Facultative nest modification by rock wrens. Avian Biology Research. 9:58-65. Najar N, Benedict L (2015) Female Song in New World Wood-Warblers (Parulidae). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 3:139. Warning N., Benedict L. (2015) Paving the way: Functional nest architecture of the rock wren. Auk: Ornithological Advances. 132:288-299. Benedict L., Rose A., Warning N. (2013) Small song repertoires and high song type sharing among Canyon Wrens. Condor. 115:874-881. Dahlin C., Benedict L., (2013) Angry birds need not apply: A perspective on the flexible form and multi-functionality of avian vocal duets. Ethology. 119:1-10. Benedict L, Rose A, Warning N (2012) Canyon wrens alter their songs in response to territorial challenges. Animal Behaviour. 84:1463-1467 Benedict L (2010) California towhee duets are multi-functional signals for multiple receivers. Behaviour. 147:953-978. Benedict L, Bowie RCK (2009) Macrogeographical variation in the song of a widely distributed African warbler. Biology Letters. 5:484-487. Benedict L (2008) Unusually high levels of extrapair paternity in a duetting species with long-term pair bonds. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 62:938-988. Benedict L (2008) Occurrence and life history correlates of vocal duetting in North American passerines.Journal of Avian Biology. 39: 57-65.