WFC 111

BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WILD BIRDS

2013


Instructor: Dr. John Eadie 1083 Academic Surge Phone: 754-0145
jmeadie@ucdavis.edu
Office hours: Wednesday & Friday 10:30 AM 11:30 AM

Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 AM -9:50 PM Chem 179

Textbook: Gill, Frank B. 2007. Ornithology. Third Edition. W.H. Freeman & Company. New
York. 763 pages
Web site: http://bcs.whfreeman.com/gill/
Other useful references:
Elphick, Chris, John B. Dunning, JR., David Allen Sibley (eds). 2001. The Sibley
Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. National Audubon Society, Alfred A. Knopf, New
York.
Podulka, S, R.W. Rohrbaugh & R. Bonney (eds). 2004. Handbook of Bird Biology.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Princeton Univ. press, Ithaca NY
Proctor, N. S. and P. J. Lynch. 1993. Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and
Function. Yale University Press.
Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The Birders Handbook: a Field
Guide to The Natural History of North American Birds. Simon and Shuster, NY

Exams: There will be two in-class midterm tests and a final exam during the regular
examination period.

Grading: 4-winged dinosaur Assignment 2% October 4 due October 11 9:00 AM
Midterm Exam #1 24 % November 1 9:00 9:50 AM (tentative)
Mid-term Exam #2 24 % November 22 9:00 9:50 AM (tentative)
Final Exam 50 % December 12 6:00 PM 9:00 PM

Lecture Outline


PART I. ORIGINS & DIVERSITY Chapter in Text
1. Introduction History (Preface xxi-xxvi)
2. Avian Characteristics Ch. 1 (1 9)
3. Origin, Evolution and Classification of Birds Ch. 2 (25-49); Ch. 3 (51-75)
4. Avian Diversity - Avian Orders Ch. 1 (9-24); online
5. Flight Ch. 5 (115-132)
PART II. FORM & FUNCTION
6. Feathers Ch. 4 (79-113; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 4 *)
7. Skeletal System Ch. 5 (133-136; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 5*)
8. Muscular System Ch. 5 (136-137; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 6*)
9. Respiratory & Circulatory System Ch. 6 (143-150; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 8 & 9*)
10. Metabolism & Physiology Ch. 6 (150-164; 171-180)
11. Bill Structure & Digestive System Ch. 6 (164-171; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 7*)
12. Sensory System & Brains Ch. 7 (31-214; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 11*)
PART III. ECOLOGY
13. Annual Cycles Ch. 9 (245-271)
14. Migration & Navigation Ch. 10 (273-306)
15. Avian Vocalizations Ch. 8 (215-242)
16. Reproduction I Ch. 14 (399-430; Proctor & Lynch Ch. 10 *)
Male & Female Reproductive Systems, Eggs, Chicks
17. Reproduction II Ch. 15 (431-466); Ch. 16 (467-502)
Clutch size, Nests & Incubation, Parental Care
18. Social Behavior; Ch. 11 (307-332)
Breeding & Mating Systems Ch. 12 (335-365); Ch. 13 (367-398)
19. Population Ecology & Dynamics Ch. 18 (533-569)
20. Conservation & Management Ch. 21 (636-684)

Proctor, N. S. & Lynch. P. J. 1993. Manual of Ornithology. Yale Univ. Press.