The Earth Commons
The Earth Commons

Marra Lab

Led by Earth Commons’ Dean Peter Marra, the Marra Lab research uses birds to help us define and understand broad environmental issues, tackling contemporary conservation challenges by addressing fundamental knowledge gaps at the intersection of ornithology, ecology and conservation biology, with an emphasis on tracking birds throughout their whole lifecycles.

What we study

Ornithology & Ecology

Studying bird populations, behaviors, and interactions with changing environments across their full annual cycle

Spatial Ecology & Migration Science

Using geolocation, telemetry, and mapping to reveal migratory connectivity and movement patterns across hemispheres

Conservation Biology & Environmental Science

Identifying factors in species declines and evaluating science-based strategies for recovery and management.

Impact areas

Biodiversity Conservation and PolicyInforming management decisions, policy, and international conservation planning through science-based approaches
Urbanization and Human ImpactsUnderstanding how cities, infrastructure, and human activity reshape avian communities and survival
Climate Change and Ecosystem HealthAssessing how climate variability and habitat loss affect migratory birds and ecological balance.

Partners & Projects

Road to Recovery

A bird population recovery initiative dedicated to restoring rapidly declining bird species by bringing biological and social scientists, land managers, governments, conservation organizations, and communities together to pinpoint the causes of decline and co-produce conservation strategies

Learn more
BooksExplore all books from Dean Marra and co-authors
Journal articlesRead all scholarly publications from Dean Marra and the Marra Lab
NewsExplore headlines from Dean Marra and the Marra lab

The Atlas of North American Migratory Birds

Tracking Movement Across the Seasons. A state-of-the-art migratory atlas of North American birds—the first resource of its kind from Peter P. Marra and Amy L. Scarpignato

Order now

Recent Headlines

All News

Half of migratory bird species are declining globally, new study finds

The size of the world’s migratory bird populations is taking a nosedive, according to a new Nature study by scientists across four continents. Led by researchers from Georgetown University and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the paper published Thursday found that half of all migratory bird species populations across the globe are shrinking in size. Previous studies have called attention to the fact that North American and European migratory birds are declining at alarming rates, co-lead author and Smithsonian scientist Nathan Cooper said in the statement.

Status, threats and conservation of Earth’s migratory birds

More than half of Earth’s migratory bird species are declining – here’s how we can still save them

Bird Populations Are in Steep Decline Around the World. Here’s What Might Bring Birds Back.

Work with us

Apply Now: Postdoctoral Fellow in Migratory Bird Ecology and Seasonal Interactions

Postdoctoral Fellow to study Migratory Bird Ecology and Seasonal Interactions, jointly housed in Georgetown University’s Department of Biology and the Earth Commons Institute, invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellow to join a research program on the ecology and conservation of migratory birds. The successful candidate will be based in the MarraLab and help lead and expand four decades (40 years) of research on American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, and other Neotropical migratory birds in Jamaica, focused on seasonal interactions, carry-over effects, full annual cycle ecology, and the conservation of migratory species. The research includes Continuing the 40-year field study of American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, and other Neotropical migratory birds in Jamaica; a long-term studies of ecosystem recovery following Hurricane Melissa; and a food manipulation experiment in collaboration with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.

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Lab Members

Peter Marra

Laudato Si’ Professor, Biology and the Environment; Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy

Bryant Dossman

Former Postdoctoral Associate

Emily Williams

Doctoral Student

Former Lab Members

Grad Students

Postdoctoral Fellows