Harrison B. Tordoff

Harrison B. Tordoff
Tordoff as a pilot during World War II
Born(1923-02-08)February 8, 1923
DiedJuly 23, 2008(2008-07-23) (aged 85)
Other names"Bud"
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma materCornell University (B.A.)
University of Michigan (Ph.D.)
SpouseJean Tordoff
Children3
Scientific career
FieldsOrnithology
InstitutionsUniversity of Kansas
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
ThesisSystematic Study of the Avian Family Fringillidae, Based on the Structure of the Skull (1950)
Doctoral advisorJosselyn Van Tyne
Doctoral studentsFrank Gill
Military career
BranchUnited States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942–45
RankCaptain
Unit352nd Fighter Squadron
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Harrison Bruce "Bud" Tordoff (February 8, 1923 – July 23, 2008) was an American ornithologist and conservationist. He was brought up in Mechanicville in upstate New York, hunting and fishing, and became interested in wildlife management and zoology. He studied as an undergraduate at Cornell University, returning to complete his degree after a period of military service during World War II. He had served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces, and his five confirmed aerial victories qualified him as a fighter ace.

Tordoff completed his doctoral degree in ornithology at the University of Michigan. During his professional career, he worked as a faculty member and natural history museum curator at a number of public universities. Much of his career was spent at the University of Minnesota, where he served as director of the Bell Museum of Natural History from 1970 to 1983. He was active in ornithological and conservation organisations, and from 1978 to 1980 was president of the American Ornithologists' Union. Most of Tordoff's research was on the evolution of finches, and he is most remembered for his role in the reintroduction of the peregrine falcon in the upper Mississippi valley.