Vertebrate Ecology: Ornithology

Catalog description

This course explores the class Aves and the diversity, phylogeny, morphology, physiology, biogeography, and ethology of birds worldwide with an emphasis on the species of the Northeast and their ecology and conservation. We will investigate these topics through a combination of class discussions, student presentations, guest lectures, field trips, lab exercises, and delving into the scientific literature. Using birds as a focal group, we will evaluate and implement analytical methods used to monitor and study vertebrate animals, and we will examine conservation measures that have been put in place to conserve bird species locally, nationally, and across the globe. An all-day Saturday field trip will occur, and three early morning (6am) class start times will be required (dates to be determined on the first day of class).