Chris Perrins facts for kids

Christopher Miles Perrins, born on May 11, 1935, is a famous bird expert. He is a respected researcher at the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology at the University of Oxford. Since 1993, he has also held a special role as His Majesty's Warden of the Swans.

Becoming a Bird Expert

Chris Perrins went to Charterhouse School when he was younger. He then studied Zoology at Queen Mary College, earning his science degree in 1957. Later, he continued his studies at the University of Oxford. In 1963, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree. .....

Studying Birds and Their Lives

Perrins is very interested in how bird populations grow and how birds raise their young. ..... He observed seabirds on islands like Skomer and Skokholm.

Important Discoveries About Birds

One of his key studies looked at animal lead poisoning in swans. This was caused by lead shot used in hunting. He is well-known for his work on how bird populations change and how many young birds survive.

He made important contributions to a long-term study of the great tit. This study takes place at Wytham Woods, a special woodland area. This research project, started in 1947, is one of the most famous studies in bird population science.

Perrins was the first to find that the number of eggs a great tit lays, called its avian clutch size, can be passed down from parents to their young. He also showed that how well young birds survive depends on what they eat in the nest. Perrins proved that female birds lay a number of eggs that they can actually feed. He also guided many students who went on to become successful scientists.

Books About Birds

Chris Perrins has written or helped write many books about birds. These books share his knowledge with others. Some of his well-known books include:

• Encyclopedia of Birds
• The Mute Swan
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds: The Definitive Guide to Birds of the World: (1990)
• Bird Population Studies: Relevance to Conservation and Management: (1996)
• The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Volume 1: Non-passerines (1998)
• The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Volume 2: (1998)
• The New Encyclopedia of Birds: (2003)
• The Complete Encyclopedia of Birds and Bird Migration: (2004)

Awards and Special Roles

Chris Perrins has received many awards for his important bird research. In 1988, he received the Godman-Salvin Medal. He also received the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Medal in 1992.

Warden of the Swans

In 1993, he was given a very special job: Warden of the Swans. This was a new role created by the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. As Warden, he plays an important part in the yearly Swan Upping ceremony. This ceremony counts and checks the health of swans on the River Thames.

Other Recognitions

Perrins has also been recognized by many other groups:

• He became a Corresponding Member of the American Ornithologists' Union in 1976 and a Fellow in 1983.
• The Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft made him a Corresponding Fellow in 1991 and a Life Fellow in 2001.
• He became a Life Fellow of the Nederlandse Ornithologische Unie in 1992.
• In 1996, he was made an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary and Westfield College.
• He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1997. This is a very high honor for scientists.
• In 2016, he received the Union Medal from the British Ornithologists' Union (BOU). This award is for outstanding contributions to bird science. He was also the President of the BOU from 2003 to 2007.