birds are the most vivid expression of life. roger tory
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“Birds are the most vivid expression of life.” Roger Tory Peterson
Global distribution...
Conspicuous airborne marvels... Food and sport...
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Birding! The Arts
to:from:
Fashion and function... Religious and cultural symbols
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Birds in science• Model systems for biological study
Embryology: Eggs easy to acquire/examine
Physiology: Adaptations for flight
Morphology: Adaptations for flight, different
kinds of flight, foraging niches
Behavior: Imprinting, communication, mating
Ecology: Optimal foraging, resource
partitioning, community structure
Evolution: Origins, natural selection (Darwin’s
finches), sexual selection
Genetics and Neurobiology:
Latest News: Pigeons spot cancer as well as human experts
R. M. Levenson et al., PLOS ONE (18 November 2015)A flock of pigeons was able to correctly spot cancer in breast tissue biopsy images with 99% accuracy, on par with human experts.
Environmental science/conservation• “Canary in the coal mine”
• Plume hunting: Audubon Society
• Pesticides: Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”
• Endangered Species: Bald Eagle
• Landscape scale questions:
e.g. effects of forest fragmentation, acid rain, climate change
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What is a bird?
• Feathered vertebrates
• Distinctive bills
• Large external eggs
• Numerous adaptations for flight
Distinguishing features of modern birds
Bird topography
Parts of a standing birdcrownsuperciliumorbital featherssupraloralloresbillauriculars
throatmalar
sides
breast
flanks
belly
nape
toestarsus
tibia
median secondary covertsmantle
secondariestertials
primaries
scapulars
greater secondary covertsgreater primary coverts
vent
rump
undertail coverts
uppertail covertstail
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Parts of a flying bird
nape
primaries
secondaries
secondaries
primaries
mantlescapulars
tailuppertail coverts
rump
underwing coverts
axillaries
bellyflanks
vent
undertail coverts
tail
gr. pr. coverts
gr. sec. coverts
med. sec. covs
less. sec. covs
alula
Head feathers and markings
Bare parts of a bird’s head Learning to identify birds
• Habitat – when and where
• Behavior – individual and social
• Taxonomy
• Learn to see….• Relative size and proportion
• Shape and silhouette
• Color in different light
• Learn to listen
• Sketch and take field notes
• Experience
• Learn from your mistakes
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Equipment• Binoculars
• Field guide
• Waterproof field notebook and pencil
Common Winter Birds in RaleighWoodpeckersDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerRed‐bellied WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerRed‐headed WoodpeckerPileated WoodpeckerYellow‐bellied Sapsucker
Winter Mixed FlocksCarolina ChickadeeTufted TitmouseGolden‐crowned KingletRuby‐crowned KingletBrown‐headed NuthatchWhite‐breasted NuthatchBrown Creeper
Single species FlocksAmerican GoldfinchCedar Waxwing Common GrackleCanada GooseRed‐winged BlackbirdRing‐billed Gull
Sparrows and FinchesWhite‐throated SparrowSong SparrowDark‐eyed JuncoNorthern CardinalChipping SparrowSwamp SparrowEastern Towhee
Open WaterBelted KingfisherNorthern ShovelerDouble‐crested CormorantGreat Blue HeronMallardGadwallBuffleheadHooded MerganserGreen‐winged Teal American WigeonPied‐billed GrebeRing‐necked DuckNorthern PintailBlue‐winged Teal Lesser ScaupRuddy DuckGreat EgretCoot
Common UrbanNorthern MockingbirdMourning DoveAmerican RobinAmerican Crow Carolina WrenEuropean StarlingRock DoveEastern BluebirdKilldeerBrown‐headed CowbirdEastern PhoebeBlue JayFish CrowHouse SparrowHouse Finch
Hawks, Owls, and VulturesRed‐tailed HawkRed‐shouldered HawkTurkey VultureBarred OwlSharp‐shinned HawkCooper's HawkKestrelBlack VultureGreat‐horned OwlBald EagleWarblers
Yellow‐rumpedWarblerPine WarblerPalm Warbler
Common Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Red‐bellied Woodpecker
Winter mixed flocks (includes woodpeckers)
White‐breasted Nuthatch Brown‐headed Nuthatch Ruby‐crowned Kinglet Golden‐crowned Kinglet
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Winter mixed flocks cont.
Carolina Chickadee Brown Creeper Tufted Titmouse
Sparrows and finches
Dark‐eyed Junco White‐throated Sparrow Northern Cardinal Song Sparrow
Warblers
Yellow‐rumped WarblerPine Warbler Palm Warbler
Common urban
Mourning Dove Carolina Wren American Robin
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Common urban cont.
Northern Mockingbird American Crow
Hawks, owls, vultures
Red‐tailed HawkRed‐shouldered Hawk Barred Owl Turkey Vulture
Single‐species flocks
American Goldfinch Cedar Waxwing Common GrackleCanada Goose
Open water
Belted Kingfisher Northern ShovelerDouble‐crested CormorantGreat Blue Heron
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