James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

ZL3420:03

Ornithology *

20 hours lectures, 6 hours tutorials, 9 hours practicals, 48 hours field work. December block mode.

Staff: Dr B Congdon.

Advanced study of birds, including extensive field work, taking advantage of the diverse range of tropical habitats available, including coral cays, estuarine flats and mangroves, wetlands, rainforest and savanna. The subject will consider the special features of birds as advanced vertebrates, then focus on various aspects of bird ecology, behaviour, adaptation and evolution. Field work will provide training in essential methods, including techniques for identification of birds, censuses and ecological surveys and behavioural studies; demonstration of trapping and banding methods and collection of material for DNA analysis; methods of analysis of bird data.

Learning Objectives:

1. to gain an understanding of basic anatomy and physiology of birds, especially adaptations to homeothermy, flight and bipedalism;
2. to gain an understanding of essential study techniques in laboratory and field, including techniques for observing, capturing and marking birds;
3. to gain an understanding of bird ecology, and behaviour, and especially the contribution of studies of birds to these field of biology;
4. to gain an understanding of the diversity of birds, their distributions and their diverse roles in diverse habitats;
5. to develop an ability to undertake independent studies on bird ecology, behaviour and/or evolution.

Assessment by examination (50%); assignments and tutorial performance (50%).