Ornithology 1A Fall 2008 Calendar

If you miss a class, please check this page and study the listed topics in your field guide or in "The Birder's Handbook" by Ehrlich et al. ( Fireside, 1988). Many of the essays and species accounts from that book are available online. I also recommend visiting field trip sites on your own if you can't make the actual trips. Last semester's calendar is here.

• We discussed factors contributing to bird abundance and the attributes of a healthy ecosystem.
• The interesting hybrid zone between the two subspecies groups of Yellow-rumped Warbler was outlined.
• The controversy regarding the possible detrimental effects of flowering eucalyptus to birds was outlined. Further information and references are here.
• Families: albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels & frigatebirds.
• Dynamic soaring and Bernoulli's Principle, how birds fly and soar. Dynamic soaring in the albatross was demonstrated.
• Discussed polymorphism in the Northern Fulmar and the distinction between polymorphism and other types of plumage variation.

• We discussed vagrancy in migratory birds and mirror-image misorientation. We also discussed the Grinnell hypothesis which we rejected because it invokes the discredited theory of "group selection." The possibility of balanced polymorphism was discussed.
• Discussed the procedures and purposes of the California Bird Records Committee.
• Families: loons and grebes.
• Geographic variation and the subspecies concept were assayed. Although much variation is clinal, subspecies still have a place in ornithological taxonomy.
• The taxonomic implications of avian hybridization was outlined with special emphasis on "hybrid zones" and "zones of overlap and hybridization." See article by Short for full details.
• The biological species concept was reviewed and the situation with Clark's and Western grebes was used as an example. Positive assortative mating prevents gene flow between the populations.

• Discussed polymorphism in the Great Blue Heron and the distinction between polymorphism and other types of plumage variation.
• Abundance terminology: Abundant, common, fairly common, uncommon, rare, casual and accidental.
• Families: grouse and quail.
• We discussed the evolution of leks using the Sage Grouse as an example. Advantages and disadvantages of this breeding strategy were discussed.  
• The decline of California Quail in Golden Gate Park was correlated to increases in feral cat colonies in the park. For information on the American Bird Conservancy's "Cats Indoors!" program, click here.

• Discussed the definition of subspecies = geographic race.
• Discussed predator avoidance behavior in birds.
• Discussed the cryptic species of the Western Flycatcher and Wood-Pewee species pairs. The Western Flycatcher has recently been split into the Pacific-coast Flycatcher and the Cordilleran Flycatcher. These are examples of "cryptic species," i.e. biological species which do not differ morphologically.
• The possible functions of rictal bristles in flycatchers was discussed.
• Families: Waterfowl, guans.
• Discussed types of feather coloring including iridescence.
• Introduced molt and plumage terminology. Natal down, juvenal, basic, alternate plumages. Prebasic, prealternate molts. Prebasic molts are complete; prealternate molts are partial. Basic plumage = winter; alternate plumage = summer (usually).
• Eclipse plumage in ducks is not a separate or special plumage, but part of the normal plumage cycle in all birds.
• My thinking on the use of the term "eclipse plumage" is in the Cinnamon Teal photo caption here.

• Discussed binoculars and optics.
• Some good sites that deal with optics for birding:
  • Better View Desired
  • Cornell
  • Optics for Birding
  • Eagle Optics
  • Laura's Optics Guide
• Click here for my brief review of new entry level binoculars from Bushnell.
• Click here for my tips on digiscoping.
• World Diversity - Click here.
• Families: Waterfowl.

• We start at 7pm sharp with your observations and questions.
• Theme of class- What are the factors contributing to avian diversity in the face of Natural Selection?
• Definition of "bird" - Feathered vertebrate. Five major vertebrate classes.
• Types of feathers - Vane, contour, down, semiplume, filoplume, aftershaft.
• Parts of a feather - Shaft or rachis, barbs, barbules.
• Discussed types of feather coloring including iridescence.
• Earliest Bird - Archaeopteryx - Could it fly?
• Breeding strategies - Altricial, Precocial. Energetic costs and benefits of each strategy. Herons are "Semi-altricial 1".
• Bring binoculars to class next week, for optics discussion.
• Assignment - Memorize the parts of a bird on pages 10-12 of the National Geographic Guide (5th edition) and bring your questions to class.