Great news for bird lovers in San Diego and Baja California: the San Diego Natural History Museum has a new curator of ornithology. Ryan Terrill, a lifelong birder, takes on the role as only the sixth person to hold the position in the museum’s 153-year history.
Terrill comes from the Klamath Bird Observatory in Oregon, where he served as science director, and brings a career spent studying the birds of the western U.S. and Latin America. His research focuses on feather molting strategies and spring migration in Southern California and Baja California — topics that will deepen what visitors learn about the region’s wildlife.
His arrival marks an exciting new chapter for The Nat: the museum is now recognizing ornithology and mammalogy as two separate departments. Accomplished mammalogist Scott Tremor has been promoted to associate curator of mammals, and Kevin Clark joins as the new vice president of science and conservation.
Visitors can look forward to new research, expeditions, and stories about the museum’s remarkable collection of 9 million specimens — all thanks to a team that keeps growing its love for nature.
Photo: San Diego Natural History Museum
