Skutch, Alexander F. (Alexander Frank), 1904-2004

Alexander F. Skutch (1904-2001) was born on May 4, 1904, in Baltimore, Maryland. He wrote books and papers on birds and his life in the rain forests of Central America. Before he became interested in birds he went to Jamaica shortly after college and worked on banana-leaf tissue at the United Fruit Company. Atrip to Panama exposed him to tropical birds. His important discovery was the "co-operative breeding" in Brown Jays. He noticed how birds would help one another, especially with parenting and building nests. He continued to bird watch until he died on May 14, 2004.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_542_pid_EACP539