BS in Biology from Cornell University

PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley

Professor, University of Northern ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Biological Sciences. (2020 – Present)

Associate Professor, University of Northern ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Biological Sciences. (2015-2020)

Assistant Professor, University of Northern ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Biological Sciences. (2010-2015)

Post-doctoral Scholar & Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley Integrative Biology. (2007-2010)

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Animal Behavior and Ornithology

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 male and female vocalizations among Parrots, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø 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.

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Find a complete list of Dr. Benedict’s publications on

Selected Publications

• Benedict, L., Groiss, V., Hoeschele, M., Reinisch, E., & Dahlin, C. R. (2026). Name use by companion parrots. Plos one 21: e0346830. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0346830
• Odom, K. J., Araya-Salas, M., Benedict, L., Lim, K., Dale, J., Webb, W. H., … & Riebel, K. (2025). Global incidence of female birdsong is predicted by territoriality and biparental care in songbirds. Nature Communications 16: 6157. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60810-5
• Benedict, L., McEntee, J., Jones, H., Robinson, S. (2025). Phylogenetic analyses support flush-pursuit foraging and flocking behaviors as evolutionary drivers of flash plumage signals in North American passerines. Ornithology. 142: ukae064. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukae064
• Barros, C. M., Benedict, L., & Sanchez, K. A. (2024). A review of the literature on female birdsong function. Animal Behaviour, 216: 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.07.018
• Sanchez, K., Benedict, L., Holt, E. (2023). Landscape composition is a stronger determinant than noise and light of avian community structure in an urbanizing county. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 11: 1254280. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1254280
• Benedict L, Charles A, Brockington A, Dahlin C (2022) A Survey of Vocal Mimicry in Companion Parrots. Scientific Reports 20271. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24335-x
• Benedict L, Hardt B, Dargis L (2021) Form and function predict acoustic transmission properties of the songs of male and female canyon wrens. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.722967
• Dargis L, Benedict L, Najar N (2021). Female bird song rates do not covary with population density in a North American species. Ethology, 127, 1042-1052. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13227
• Wilkins MR, Odom KJ, Benedict L., Safran R (2020). Analysis of female song provides insight into the evolution of sex differences in a widely studied songbird. Animal Behaviour 168:69-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.07.018
• Benedict L, Najar N* (2019) Are commonly used metrics of bird song complexity concordant? Auk: Ornithological Advances 136:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/uky008
• Hathcock TG, Benedict L (2018) Conspecific challenges provoke female canyon wrens to sing but not to duet Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 72:196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-018-2625-0
• Odom KJ, Benedict L (2018). A call to document female bird songs: applications for diverse fields. Auk: Ornithological Advances 135: 314-325. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-17-183.1
• Najar N, Benedict L. (2015) Female song in New World wood-warblers (Parulidae). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 3:139. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2015.00139
• Warning N, Benedict L (2015) Paving the way: Multifunctional nest architecture of the rock wren. Auk: Ornithological Advances. 132:288-299. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-14-186.1
• Dahlin CR, Benedict L (2014) Angry birds need not apply: a perspective on the flexible form and multi-functionality of avian vocal duets. Ethology. 119:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12182
• 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. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/000579510X498633
• Benedict L, Bowie RCK (2009) Macrogeographical variation in the song of a widely distributed African warbler. Biology Letters. 5:484-487. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2009.0244
• Benedict L (2008) Occurrence and life history correlates of vocal duetting in North American passerines. Journal of Avian Biology. 39: 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0908-8857.2008.04103.x