John Todd Zimmer
Encyclopedia
John Todd Zimmer was a leading American ornithologist.
A graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he took an early interest in both entomology
and ornithology. From 1913 he worked as an agricultural adviser in the Philippines
and later New Guinea
, during which time he made important collections of bird
specimens. After his return to America he joined the staff of the Field Museum of Natural History
, in which role he compiled a Catalog of the Ayer Ornithological Library, and participated in expeditions to Africa
and Peru
.
In 1930 Frank Chapman
recruited him as Associate Curator of Birds at the American Museum of Natural History
in New York
, where he remained for the rest of his life. He made systematic revisions of the taxonomy of the birds of Peru and their relatives in other parts of South America
, and in his later years combined this with studies of New World flycatchers
, preparing the section on the Tyrannidae for Peter's
Check-list of Birds of the World.
He was also a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union
, and editor of its journal The Auk
from 1942-1948.
Zimmer is commemorated in the names of a number of animals, including Zimmer's Tapaculo
Scytalopus zimmeri.
A graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he took an early interest in both entomology
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
and ornithology. From 1913 he worked as an agricultural adviser in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and later New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, during which time he made important collections of bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
specimens. After his return to America he joined the staff of the Field Museum of Natural History
Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It sits on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan, part of a scenic complex known as the Museum Campus Chicago...
, in which role he compiled a Catalog of the Ayer Ornithological Library, and participated in expeditions to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
In 1930 Frank Chapman
Frank Chapman
Frank Michler Chapman was a U.S. ornithologist and pioneering writer of field guides.Chapman was born in West Englewood, New Jersey and attended Englewood Academy. He joined the staff of the American Museum of Natural History in 1888 as assistant to Joel Asaph Allen...
recruited him as Associate Curator of Birds at the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he remained for the rest of his life. He made systematic revisions of the taxonomy of the birds of Peru and their relatives in other parts of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and in his later years combined this with studies of New World flycatchers
Tyrant flycatcher
The tyrant flycatchers are a family of passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They are considered the largest family of birds on Earth, with more than 400 species. They are the most diverse avian family in every country in the Americas, except for the United States and...
, preparing the section on the Tyrannidae for Peter's
James Lee Peters
James Lee Peters was an American ornithologist.Peters was Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, at Harvard University...
Check-list of Birds of the World.
He was also a Fellow of the American Ornithologists' Union
American Ornithologists' Union
The American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
, and editor of its journal The Auk
The Auk
The Auk is a quarterly journal and the official publication of the American Ornithologists' Union, having been continuously published by that body since 1884. The journal contains articles relating scientific studies of the anatomy, behavior, and distribution of birds. The journal is named for the...
from 1942-1948.
Zimmer is commemorated in the names of a number of animals, including Zimmer's Tapaculo
Zimmer's Tapaculo
The Zimmer's Tapaculo is a species of passerinebird in the Rhinocryptidae family. It is endemic to Bolivia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and rocky areas.Its name commemorates American ornithologist John Todd...
Scytalopus zimmeri.