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2	ORNITHOLOGY Ornitheos (Gk) Of or pertaining to birds -ology (Gk) To study / the study of
3	TAXONOMY Domain ® Eukarya Kingdom ® Anamalia Phylum ® Chordata Class ® Aves Order ® 29 Family ® 187 Genus ® 2,050 Species ® 9,646 (924 in N. Am.)
4	DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF BIRDS Feathers Toothless bill Leg scales Amniotic eggs with hard calcareous shells
5	USE OF FIELD GUIDES National Geographic Species arranged phylogenetically (by family) Peterson Species arranged morphologically (by family)
6	Groups of Birds Swimmers Ducks & duck-like birds
7	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Seabirds, gulls
8	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Waders Long-legged (herons, egrets, cranes) Shorebirds (plovers, sandpipers)
9	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Waders Fowl-like birds Grouse, quail
10	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Waders Fowl-like birds Birds of prey Hawks, eagles, owls, vultures
11	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Waders Fowl-like birds Birds of prey Nonpasserine land birds Dove, hummingbirds, woodpeckers
12	Groups of Birds Swimmers Aerialists Waders Fowl-like birds Birds of prey Nonpasserine land birds Passerine birds Blackbirds, swallows, sparrows, jays, crows
13	Bird Topography (Field Marks) Does it have distinct identifying features or colors?
14	Field Marks Head Crown Nape Eyebrow Eyeline Eye-ring mustache throat
15	Field Marks Body Back Rump Breast Belly Side
16	Field Marks Wings / Tail Wing bars Primaries Secondaries Coverts / scapulars Outer tail feathers
17	Field Marks Example Canvasback vs. Redhead
18	Identifying Features What shape are its wings?
19	Identifying Features What shape is its bill?
20	Identifying Features What shape is its tail?
21	Identifying Features How does it hold its tail?
22	Identifying Features How does it fly? What is it doing? Climbing, swimming, wading, soaring, etc.
23	Range Maps Is it supposed to be here?
24	ANNUAL CYCLES & BEHAVIOR Migration & navigation
25	Migration
26	Migration Why migrate? Optimal year-round activity and feeding Negative impact? Dangerous Metabolically costly
27	Navigation Landmarks Mountain ranges Coastlines
28	Navigation Sun Solar compass
29	Navigation Stars Stellar compass A – normal sky B – simulated sky C – N star reversed D – no cues
30	Navigation Geomagnetism Magnetic compass
31	Mating Systems Parental investment Males Sperm production relatively “cheap” Females Egg production high physiological investment Average ~24 eggs / life Fecundity vs. mortality Desires for mate Fittest Territory with best resources Likely to help raise young
32	Mating Systems Monogamy One male, one female Single nesting, single season, multiple seasons, life Both parents invested in raising young Ex. geese, eagles, swans (life)
33	Mating Systems Polygyny “many wives” Males with multiple females, females with one male Single male sires most of the offspring Females raise young alone Ex. Sage Grouse
34	Greater Sage Grouse
35	Mating Systems Polyandry “many husbands” females with multiple males, males with one female Male left to take care of young while female attracts another male Ex. Jacana (S. Am.)
36	Mating Displays Plumage Displays Song Gifts
37	ANATOMICAL & PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF BIRDS Wing design Integument (feathers) Reductions in weight Skeletal system Digestive system Excretory system Reproductive system Increase in strength / endurance Skeletal system Muscular system Respiratory system
38	Wing Design Airfoil
39	Integument Feathers structure
40	Feather Care Preening Realign barbs Remove parasites Uropygial gland (base of rump) Coat with fatty substance Cleans Waterproofs Anti-parasitic
41	Feather Care Molting Purpose Remove worn out feathers Change plumage (i.e., breeding, camouflage) Growth (hatchling ® adult) Process Sequential Complete Frequency Typically 1-2 times/year depending on species
42	Skeletal System Lightweight (hollow long bones) Enlarged sternum (with keel) Reinforced skeleton Fused thoracic vertebrae Synsaccrum Fused “hand-finger” bones
43	Muscular System Pectoralis Power stroke (down) Supracoricoideus Recovery stroke (up) Perching tendons Curl toes when bird squats
44	Respiratory System Lungs Air sacs 1 way air flow over lungs
45	Digestive System Bill shape Dictates food source
46	Digestive System Digestive track Crop Stomach Proventriculus Acids / enzymes Gizzard Grinding Cloaca
47	Excretory Systems Kidneys Uric acid Salt glands Marine birds
48	Reproductive System Male system Paired gonads (testes) Atrophy during non-breeding season No external genetalia Phallus Cloacal kiss
49	Reproductive System Female system Single ovary (left) Eggs formed / laid within 24 h Clutch size varies with species / conditions (1, >20) Incubation 10-20 days Incubation temp 35-40.5⁰C Body temp 40-42⁰C
50	Nervous System Vision Typically most dominant Distance Infrared Hearing Ex. owls Smell Ex. TV, Kiwi