San Diego Museum Names New Curator of Ornithology

Ryan Terrill joins the San Diego Natural History Museum to lead its longstanding ornithology department.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Bird Watching

San Diego Museum Names New Curator of Ornithology

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The San Diego Natural History Museum appointed Ryan Terrill as curator of ornithology in September 2026. Terrill takes over the 116-year-old department following the retirement of Philip Unitt.

Why it matters

The museum recently separated its ornithology department from mammalogy to better focus on regional species and conservation. Terrill aims to expand research capabilities as climate patterns increasingly impact local bird populations.

The department maintains a collection of nearly 53,000 bird specimens within a 116-year-old ornithology program. Experts recently measured ocean surface temperatures off La Jolla at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3 to 4 degrees above normal.

The players

Ryan Terrill

He is the newly appointed curator of ornithology at the San Diego Natural History Museum who previously served as the science director for the Klamath Bird Observatory.

Philip Unitt

He is the former curator of ornithology at the San Diego Natural History Museum who retired from the position in February 2026.

San Diego Natural History Museum

This institution is a long-standing research center located in Balboa Park that houses extensive regional natural history collections.

The details

Terrill, who previously served as science director at the Klamath Bird Observatory, plans to establish a specialized feather lab at the museum. The department organizes its massive collection by plumage categories, such as age and sex, to support ongoing studies of regional avian life.

The Department of Ornithology was established 116 years ago.
Philip Unitt retired as curator in February 2026.
Ryan Terrill joined the museum in September 2026.
The museum was surveyed for bird species on October 20, 2026.

Culture Shift

The museum's focus on regional ornithology aligns with the broader scientific concern regarding the impact of ocean surface temperature increases on seabird food availability. This shift reflects a move toward localized conservation strategies in response to rapidly changing coastal environmental conditions.

Local bird watchers and residents can expect the museum to increase its engagement with regional bird studies, potentially offering more resources for species identification. The focus on monitoring bird populations during shifting climate conditions will likely provide clearer data on how local wildlife adapts to warmer coastal temperatures.

The takeaway

Understanding how shifts in ocean temperature affect regional food availability is critical for predicting future local bird die-offs. Residents should keep an eye on museum programming to stay informed about changing regional biodiversity.