The SWAU University Bookstore stocks copies of the required textbook and recommended field guides. Local museums, nature centers, bookstores and Audubon Society bookstores are useful for obtaining regional guides, checklists, and where-to-look books. 

GOALS:

BIOL 312 - Field Ornithology is an upper-division course with a two-fold purpose. The first part of the course (Lecture / Ornithology) will introduce the student to the study of the biology of birds through a detailed treatment of the various chapters in the textbook. A person who studies the intricacies of the biology of birds is called an Ornithologist. The lecture part of this course is designed to help the student become acquainted with and knowledgeable about the fascinating biology of birds and to gain an appreciation for what Ornithology is all about. Some of the areas that will be covered include the study of flight (the most demanding activity in nature), feathers, avian physiology, migration, navigation, reproduction, nesting, brood parasitism, and conservation. The student should study the assigned textbook chapters carefully and always try to identify the biological features that are different from other animals and that make birds unique in the Animal Kingdom and specially adapted to their way of life.

The second part of the course (Laboratory / Birdwatching) will introduce the student to the identification of birds in the field. A person who enjoys watching and identifying birds in nature is called a birdwatcher or birder. The laboratory part of this course is designed to help the student become confident in his/her ability to identify birds in nature as a birdwatcher. This is an ability that comes only from practice. Time will have to be spent in the field to master the skills needed. The field guide will aid you in identifying birds in the field. The first few pages of each field guide generally outline how to use the guide. The student should study the field guide carefully and note the characteristics that distinguish the major groups from each other and what particular field marks will help make species distinctions. Unique field marks of a species that are not found in any other species should be identified and if possible memorized. Many birds can be eliminated in the identification process just by learning the geographic distributions. At first, identifying birds in the field may seem impossible but in only a few days the student will notice very few birds that cannot be named immediately.

Upon completion of all the requirements for this class the student will be knowledgeable about the amazing biology of birds and will be able to confidently identify birds in the field. Some people find the study of birds and birding a lifelong fascination and hobby. Others are just pleased to be able to identify birds when they are in nature. God has many wonders in nature and the better we know in detail one aspect of that nature the greater our appreciation for Him as Creator.
 
I hope you will enjoy this class. Many of my past students have been hooked on birding and have continued birdwatching and observing birds long after the course. If this happens to you I will have my reward.
 

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

There are two aspects to this course that must be satisfied for completion of the requirements.

        I. Lecture - Ornithology / Detailed Study of the Biology of Birds.
                  a. TEXTBOOK study assignments
                  b. CLASSIFICATION study assignments
        II. Laboratory - Birdwatching / Identification of Birds in the Field.
                  a. FIELD NOTEBOOK
                  b. FIELD TRIPS
                  c. CUMULATIVE LIFE LIST
 

I. Lecture - Ornithology / Detailed Study of the Biology of Birds.

        a. TEXTBOOK STUDY ASSIGNMENTS:

Description of Testing Procedure:

The lecture portion of this course will be evaluated by administering three tests. Tests will cover the assigned textbook chapters and the classification handout as noted above. Each test represents one hour of class credit and will test in detail over approximately five chapters of assigned textbook material and over the assigned portion of the scientific names from the classification handout.

The style of the tests will consist of a combination of "Multiple Choice", "True or False", "Matching", and short "Fill-in-the-blank" questions. An occasional diagram may be used if the material lends itself to labeling parts (ie. parts of a feather; bones of the skeleton; etc.). Long essay questions will generally not be used. All test items involving the classification and scientific names will be in the form of "Matching".

Upon completion of study of the appropriate textbook chapters and the appropriate classification section, the first test may be requested. Each test will have to be returned and graded before the next one can be requested.
 

II. Laboratory - Birdwatching / Identification of Birds in the Field.

        a. FIELD NOTEBOOK:

Keeping a field notebook is an integral and necessary part of doing any kind of observation in nature. Naturalists and birdwatchers keep a record of each field trip and of the observations made during that field trip. Such notes become a source of valuable information for future reference and can be useful for research purposes. Similarly, for the duration of this course, it is required of you to start and keep a field notebook. Each field trip, and any observations that are made, must be documented by being recorded in the field notebook. At the end of the course the notebook must be submitted for evaluation.

There is no specific notebook that is required, however, the field notebook must be a bound or spiral back notebook, not loose leaf! It would be helpful if the notebook size not be too large so it can be easily carried in the field. The SWAU Department of Biology has made available to the University Bookstore field notebooks and permanent ink pens suitable for use in the field. The notebooks contain waterproof paper and the pens contain waterproof ink. Once the ink dries the record of a field trip is permanent and will withstand adverse weather conditions. The price of the notebook is approximately $5.00 and the price of a permanent ink pen is less than $2.00.

Each time a field trip is taken, the following information should be recorded:
            1. Date; Time of day; Weather conditions
            2. Locality -  Give name of closest Town, the County, and State
                                Give name of Park, Lake, River, Beach, or Mountain visited
                                Give Highway numbers or simple directions to this locality
            3. Habitat Description. (Document by including a photograph later)
            4. Trip List: List of the species of birds identified in the field on this trip
                (This means listing every species you see on every field trip!)
            5. Record of observations and interesting behaviors or circumstances
            6. Number of hours spent in the field on this trip
            7. Following a field trip remember to add to your cumulative Life List (see below)
 
Effort should be made to document each locality by taking a photograph of that habitat (leave a blank page in your notebook to add the photo later). You may use sketches or even photographs to supplement your field notes, however, your field notebook is not to be a cut and paste project done back at home but a serious effort to record your ornithological observations IN THE FIELD. (If the field notes are too neat and perfect, it may indicate that not much was actually recorded in the field. On the other hand, the field notebook will loose its usefulness if it's too sloppy and no one can read it.) As you accumulate observations over time you will find yourself possibly pulling together data into graphs and tables to determine when birds arrived, or left your area, or which species can be found in particular habitats, or how many trips a feeding mother makes per hour. Examples of observations may include data on nest sites, courtship behavior, feeding behavior, nesting behavior, or song frequency, etc. Learn to become a keen observer and remember that a great observation not written down is only a memory. Record your observations as they occur - IN THE FIELD.

        b. FIELD TRIPS: The equivalent of 9 field trips.

As part of this course you will be required to participate in: 

        1). two class field trips locally and one indoor lab 
        2). two field trips on your own or with friends
        3). one extended 5 day class field trip to the Gulf Coast of Texas (Whooping Crane; Sandhill Crane; White-tailed Hawk; Crested Caracara; Anhinga; Snow Goose; White-fronted Goose; White Ibis; White-faced Ibis; Roseate Spoonbill; Black Skimmer). The Gulf Coast trip is scheduled for November 18-22, 2003. We will be looking for coastal birds, many of them during migration, including the endangered Whooping Crane. There will be a lab fee of $120.00 for this long field trip.

The time for labs and field trips will be arranged.  Each field trip should consist of 2 - 3 hours minimum spent in actual bird observation each time - not including travel time. Effort should be made to study in as many habitat areas as possible.  Each field trip must be documented in the field notebook as explained above.

For more information on this field trip and other Biology Department field trips please visit my website at /faculty/peter.htm or our Department of Biology website at  

                Required Equipment: Binoculars
                            Recommend: Bushnell Natureview 8 x 42 ($ 90.00)
                                                 (Excellent performance at a very reasonable price)
 
                Optional Equipment: Spotting Scope
                           Recommend: Kowa TSN-822 Straight 82mm Scope ($445.00)
                                                Kowa TSE-Z7 20-60x Zoom Eyepiece ($279.00)
                                                Kowa CNW-6 82 mm Spotting Scope Case ($40.00)
                                                Bogen 3011 Tripod ($180.00)

        c. CUMULATIVE LIFE LIST:

Birdwatchers keep a cumulative "Life List" of all the species they have ever seen in nature. Similarly, for the duration of this course, it is required of you to start and keep a cumulative "Life List" of bird species that you have identified in the field. In your field notebook, perhaps in the back of it, you should begin this cumulative "Life List" of the bird species that you identify on your various field trips. Every time you return from a field trip, you can add to this cumulative list any new birds you have not seen previously. For each species on this cumulative list, you should give 1) the name of the bird, 2) the date first seen, and 3) the place first seen. This cumulative list will become your "Life List" by which you keep track of all the species you have ever identified in the field. It can get kind of exciting when you return from a field trip and are able to add several new species of birds to your "Life List" that you have never seen before. Birders call these newly seen species "Lifers" and for many of them it has become an obsession to add as many "Lifers" to their list as possible. Some avid birders spend all their free time chasing "Lifers" all over North America, and when they have seen all the birds in North America they then travel all over the world in search of more "Lifers". The epitome of listing is represented by the activities of the members of the American Birding Association. They publish the journal Birding which is devoted to the "sport" of identifying birds in the field. I encourage you to try membership for a year. You may find yourself hooked for life! For information write:
 

 
Many birders keep a variety of lists of the birds they see and a number of published notebooks for keeping bird lists are available. The most common lists are: 1) Life List: all species seen throughout your lifetime. There are over 5,000 species possible world wide. 2) Yearly List: all species seen during the course of a calendar year. 3) Area List: all species seen in a particular county, state, or country. 4) Trip Lists: all species seen during a birding trip or vacation. 5) Christmas Count: a formal census of all species and the number of individuals of each species in a defined geographical area made during the Christmas season. The Audubon Society coordinates such counts and the data from year-to-year is a valuable insight into the changes in distribution and numbers of each species.

        d. CLASSIFICATION STUDY ASSIGNMENTS: Textbook Appendix - pg. 617-691.

Attached you will find a list of the "Orders" and "Families" of birds primarily of North America. "Genus and Species" scientific names of selected common birds are also included. Learn all the scientific names of the Orders (ie. Falconiformes, etc.) and associated common names of the bird groups in each order (ie. Hawks, Eagles, and Vultures) for the first test. Learn all the scientific Family names (ie. Falconidae, etc.) and associated common names of the bird groups in each family (ie. Caracaras and Falcons) for the second test. The Order Passeriformes, perching birds, has the most families in it because it is the largest order and includes all the song birds. One of the reasons for this requirement to learn group names is that most bird identification books and field guides are arranged in the order of scientific classification. Knowing this classification will help you orient yourself in your field guide. A second important reason is that the classification is based on fundamental relationships i.e. the more closely the birds are together on the classification list the more similar they are to each other. It might seem obvious that turkeys and quail should be in the same order, but it might come as a surprise to you that sandpipers and gulls are together in the same order.

Then, lastly, after learning the Orders and Families learn the actual scientific Genus & Species names of the few selected common species of North America for the third test. Knowing the scientific names of bird Orders, Families, and some Genus and Species names, is what helps to make one an Ornithologist rather than just a birdwatcher.
 

Description of Grading Procedure:
The lecture aspect of this course will be evaluated by calculating the average of the three tests. This test average contributes to three quarters of the final grade.
 
The laboratory aspect of this course will be evaluated by examining your field notebook. The following specific items will be examined in the evaluation process:
 

a. Appropriateness of notebook style (as explained above)                          b. A separate record for each of nine field trips                          c. Each field trip record must contain all information (as explained above)                          d. Number of birds identified on each field trip                          e. Number of different habitats visited during the course                          f. Photographic documentation for each new habitat visited                          g. Notes on interesting observations made in the field                          h. Legibility                          i. Sketches (optional)                          j. Synthesis of some of your data into tables or graphs                          k. "Life List" (must be submitted either as part of notebook or separately)                          l. Number of species on your "Life List"

The field notebook evaluation generally begins with a grade of 100% and proceeds by points being deducted for items that may be missing or of low quality. The field notebook and Life List will be returned following the evaluation. The grade received for the field notebook and Life List contributes to one quarter of the final grade.

As soon as the above requirements are met a final grade will be filed at the ADP office.
 
Invitation to join the SWAU Department of Biology Field Trips:

We would be happy to have you join us on one of our Biology field trips. Each fall, we take a long weekend Ornithology field trip to the Gulf Coast of Texas (Whooping Crane; Sandhill Crane; White-tailed Hawk; Crested Caracara; Anhinga; Snow Goose; White-fronted Goose; White Ibis; White-faced Ibis; Roseate Spoonbill; Black Skimmer).

During the first summer session in May we teach a Tropical Biology field course on an alternating year basis. One year the field course is taught in Costa Rica (Resplendant Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Scarlet Macaw, Orange-collared Manakin, Keel-billed Toucan, Emerald Toucanet, Collared Aracari, Blue-crowned Motmot), and the next year the field course is taught in the Hawaiian Islands (Red-vented Bulbul; Common Myna; Great Frigatebird; Hawaiian Nene Goose; Hawaiian Io Hawk; Hawaiian Pueo Short-eared Owl; Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Iiwi, Apapane, Amakihi, Elepaio).

For more information on any of these field trips please visit my website at /faculty/petr.htm or our Department of Biology website at /biology.html

Best regards,  Dan Petr  Professor of Biology

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