Marler, Peter

Marler, Peter (Robert)

(1928– ) animal behaviorist; born in London, England. He was a research fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge University (1954–56), then came to the U.S.A. to join the University of California: Berkeley (1957–66). He was a professor at Rockefeller University (1966–89) before moving to the University of California: Davis (1989). Although trained as a botanist, he rekindled his childhood interest in ornithology early in his career. He made major contributions to behavioral studies of animal (including primate) vocalization, especially regarding the social function of birdsongs.