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Ornithology is the study of birds, encompassing their evolution
and biology -- development, physiology, ecology, behaviour,
migration, species distribution and more.
A bird is a warm-blooded vertebrate animal. It is characterized
by feathers, wings, bill with toothless jaws, two legs, internal
fertilization and shelled eggs that are incubated outside
the body.
Birds evolved from flying ancestors that evolved from reptiles,
and modern-looking forms existed about 100 million years ago.
Even flightless modern birds (e.g. penguins, ostriches) evolved
from ancestors that flew.
Birds comprise the class Aves. The class is composed of groups
called orders. Birds of an order share characteristics such
as the shape and arrangement of the bones of the head, the
shape of the breastbone or keel, the number or arrangement
of toes, number of tail feathers, etc. For example, the order
passeriformes (passerines) is comprised of singing or perching
birds.
Each order is comprised of families. Birds of a family share
similarities that include bill shape, length of primary feathers,
etc. For example, Corvidae (crow family) is a member of the
passerine order.
Families are further subdivided into genus; birds of a genus
are grouped together because they show close relationships
within the family. For example, jays are members of the crow
family.
Finally, each genus is subdivided into species. Species of
a genus resemble each other very closely. For example, a blue
jay is a jay species.
There are more 9,000 bird species today, and birds can be
found over most of the earth and in all habitats. Some are
year-round residents, while others migrate to warmer areas
in fall, returning to their breeding grounds the following
spring. Some are so specialized that they can be found only
in one very particular area, while others are generalists
that can adapt to almost anything. In the food chain, they
are both predator and prey.
Humans have used birds (and their eggs) throughout history
for food and decoration. Many birds (e.g. dodo, auk, passenger
pigeon, Carolina parakeet) have been hunted to extinction.
Birds benefit man indirectly even more than they do as food.
They contribute enormously to the balance of nature. They
are pollinators, dispersers of seed and eaters of insects.
Their role in controlling insect populations is so important
that were birds to disappear, insects would occur in unmanageable
numbers. Ironically, it is because they eat insects that birds
are dying by the millions from exposure to pesticides. Habitat
loss, pollution, predation by cats, window strikes, collisions
with towers, poisoning and global warming are contributing
to their decline.
To learn more about ornithology, choose one of the topics
below.
This site is a user-friendly portal to many things ornithological;
lectures, information on migration, taxonomy, and more.
Birdnet provides information about ornithology, the scientific
study of birds. The site is a service of the Ornithological
Council, a public information organization of ten North American
professional ornithological societies; an excellent resource
for North American ornithology.
The American Ornithologists' Union is the oldest and largest
organization in the New World devoted to the scientific study
of birds. Although the AOU primarily is a professional organization,
its membership of about 4,000 includes many amateurs dedicated
to the advancement of ornithological science.
The Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO) is a society
of professional and amateur ornithologists dedicated to the
scientific study and dissemination of information about birds
in their natural habitats. AFO encourages participation of
amateurs in research, and emphasizes conservation biology
of birds. English and Spanish site. www.afonet.org/index.html
A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology published by the American
Ornithologists' Union. Topics include the documentation, analysis,
and interpretation of laboratory and field studies, theoretical
or methodological developments, and reviews of information
or ideas.
A publication of the Australian Bird Study Association, published
quarterly. Topics include research findings, interesting and
unusual recoveries of banded birds, literature reviews and
summaries.
The International Journal of Avian Science, published by the
British Ornithologists' Union. Ibis publishes original papers
and comments in English, covering the whole field of ornithology,
together with reviews of recent publications.
Published by the Association of Field Ornithologists, the
Journal welcomes original articles that emphasize the descriptive
or experimental study of birds in their natural habitats.
Published by The German Society for Ornithology. This German
and English language journal publishes original articles on
scientific ornithology. Topics include ecology, anatomy, physiology,
pathology, taxonomy, biology of breeding and ethology of birds.
A gratis and pioneering internet-based ornithological publication
of the Harini Nature Conservation Foundation. The Journal
welcomes original articles, scientific papers, field checklists,
sighting records, habitat notes and conservation
| Newsletters
and Magazines |
: The Ornithological Societies of North America
News items about jobs, grant opportunities, upcoming conferences,
etc.
: A magazine for keen birdwatchers in Britain and
throughout Europe. Topics include identification texts by
world experts, practical overseas birding, and news articles
from Britain and abroad.
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A quarterly publication of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
quarterly, Birdscope is a good resource for anyone who is
interested in birds. Topics include latest research findings,
from birdsong study to conservation and citizen science, as
well as feature articles, interviews, a kid's page, and letters
from the birding community and members.
Manual of Ornithology:Avian Structure & Function
by Noble S. Proctor and Patrick J. Lynch
Paperback - 352 pages
Yale University Press
ISBN:0300076193
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Ornithology:
by Frank B. Gill
Hardcover - 763 pages 2nd edition
W H Freeman & Co
ISBN:0716724154
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The Sibley Guide to Birds:
by David Allen Sibley
Paperback - 544 pages
Knopf
ISBN:0679451226
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An excellent selection of ornithology books can be found
at
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