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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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