Bird evolution columnist to debut in winter issue of Colorado Birds

Colorado Birds, CFO’s quarterly journal, welcomes Isabelle Busch to its covey of columnists. Her column, Avian Origins, will explore the evolution of modern birds in a multi-year series.

Busch is a freelance science writer pursuing a master’s degree in ecology at Colorado State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Washington State University, where she wrote nature articles for the university newspaper.

Before starting her graduate program, she spent a gap year embarking on wildlife-focused adventures. Highlights included observing manatees in Florida, coatis in Arizona, wolves in Wyoming, whipbirds in Australia and penguins in New Zealand. Moving to Colorado and living just five minutes from Dinosaur Ridge took her fossil fascination to a new level; soon, she began delving into the connections between dinosaurs and birds. 

Busch met Colorado Birds Managing Editor Peter Burke while birding with Ted Floyd last September. She pitched the idea for a series of columns about bird evolution on the spot. Look for her introductory column, “The Beginning of Birds,” along with her illustrations, in the winter issue of Colorado Birds, coming to your mailbox or inbox in January.