Jim Rising

Jim Rising is an OFO member best known for his research and contributions to our knowledge of the taxonomy and identification of North American birds.

As professor of ornithology at the University of Toronto, Jim taught courses in field ornithology, evolutionary theory, freshwater and marine biology and subarctic ornithology. Many of his former students are prominent scientists.

Jim wrote 10 species accounts in the first Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario. He co-authored six species accounts in The Birds of North America and wrote two chapters in the Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior.

Jim is a member of the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) and is the only Canadian on its Committee of Classification and Nomenclature. This committee decides the names and taxonomic order of North American birds.

Jim is an authority on sparrows and Baltimore and Bullock’s Orioles. He has published over 62 peer-reviewed papers, contributed chapters in 20 books, and written several popular articles about birds. His identification guides to the sparrows, co-authored with David Beadle, are recognized for their thorough treatment. Jim regularly writes articles for OFO News, providing insights into changes to the AOU Check-list.