Maria Köpcke

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Maria Emilie Anna Koepcke (formerly Köpcke) (May 15, 1924 - December 25, 1971), born von Mikulicz-Radecki, was a famous ornithologist who died in the crash of LANSA Flight 508. Her daughter, Juliane Köpcke, was the sole survivor of that flight. Maria was, in a time when South American ornithology was essentially male-dominated, not merely successful, but one of the greatest scientists in neotropical ornithology worldwide. She was also survived by her husband and scientific collaborator, Hans-Wilhelm Koepcke whom they had flown to meet.

A number of birds have been named in honor of her:

• Koepcke's Screech Owl, Otus koepckeae
• Koepcke's Hermit, Phaethornis koepckeae
• Selva Cacique, Cacicus koepckeae

[edit] References

• Niethammer, G. (1974): Maria Koepcke geb. Mikulicz-Radecki. Journal für Ornithologie 115(1): 91-102. DOI: 10.1007/BF01647319 10.1007/BF01647319

• Rea, Amadeo M. & B. León Kostritsky (1973): Obituary: Maria Emilie Anna von Mikulicz-Radecki Koepcke. Auk 90(3): 735-736. PDF fulltext

• Vuilleumier, François (1995): Five Great Neotropical Ornithologists: An Appreciation of Eugene Eisenmann, Maria Koepcke, Claës Olrog, Rodulfo Philippi, and Helmut Sick. Ornitología Neotropical 6(2): 97-111. PDF fulltext