Preface and Bibliography

There are over 9000 species of birds worldwide, found in nearly every terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Tropical habitats have the greatest variety of birds, so South and Central America, Africa, Asia and Australia nearest the equator boast the highest species diversity of birds.

Birds are among the easiest animals to study in the wild because they are relatively easy to find (compared to most mammals which are nocturnal, reptiles and amphibians which tend to be secretive, and fish which live in a very different environment). Many are colorful, many have songs, many move or breed in groups, but mostly because they are active during the day, live on or slightly above the ground, are relatively large, and can be studied from a reasonable distance, sometimes even without binoculars.

Because of their accessibility in the wild, there has been a good deal of research on birds in their native habitats, perhaps more than on any other animal group. Bird behavior in the field has been used to develop or test many ecological principles; some of the best known are exemplified by birds: Darwin’s Finches are an excellent example of adaptive radiation, Asian nuthatches character displacement, and MacArthur’s warblers, species diversity. Bald Eagles and Brown Pelicans are associated with the dangers of DDT, the California Condor, Passenger Pigeon, and Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the effects of shrinking habitats, and the shrinking populations of migratory birds with the destruction of tropical forest wintering habitats.

Laboratory studies of birds are less common and much of what we know about birds has come from easy to keep species such as chickens, pigeons, parrots, and waterfowl. But we do know a substantial amount about their anatomy, physiology, senses, and other such attributes. Some of the most important studies in ornithology have combined lab- and field-gathered data such as energy usage and reproductive behavior.

The same characteristics that have led birds to be so well studied have also intimately connected them to us in many non-scientific ways. Thus we find references in the ancient literature by Aristotle, mythology such as the story of Athena, goddess of wisdom, and her wise old owl companion, and fables like the Ugly Duckling and Chicken Little. Popular characters such as Woody Woodpecker, Donald Duck, and the NBC Peacock are familiar to almost everyone. Birds are the subject of many forms of art as public sculptures, photographs, greeting cards, and logos. The Spotted Owl in the western US has become a symbol of the conflict between environmentalists and timber companies, and, of course, the national symbol of the US is the Bald Eagle. Every US state has a state bird and many sports teams have adopted bird names: falcons, cardinals, eagles, and even penguins. There is a Wren, Oregon, the town of Chicken, Alaska, and many lakes and peaks named Loon, Eagle, Hawk, Goose, etc. We "kill two birds with one stone", describe someone as thin as a rail, crazy as a loon, or eagle-eyed. Birds are as much a part of our social life as they are of the environment.

Almost everyone who appreciates nature enjoys birds more than most other aspects, although trees and wildflowers are good competitors for their attention. Birdwatchers range from the most casual who see birds as merely one cog in the wheel of nature to those who are nearly obsessed by the hobby and will go to extremes to add another bird to their life list. Two billion dollars a year are spent on bird feeding and watching related supplies such as binoculars, bird feeders, bird houses, and bird seed. The worldwide figure, if we include day or month long trips to watch birds in local or exotic habitats, is certainly much greater. And, in the US, about one bird-related book a day is published.

With that introduction, I surmise that there are many folks who, besides learning more birds, are interested in learning more about birds without having to read a thick textbook or sit through a series of talks or lectures. You can read the following "lectures" in order or you can pick the ones that most interest you. You can find more detailed information on these topics, and many more, on other links throughout Ornithology.com. For further information or questions, feel free to contact me, the ornithologist.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REFERENCES
Books

Farner, D.S., King, James R., and Parkes, K.C, Editors. Avian Biology, Vols I to IX. Academic Press; 1971-1993.

Van Tyne, J. and Berger, J. Fundamentals of Ornithology. New York: John Wiley and Sons; 1976.

Welty. J.C. and Baptista, L. The Life of Birds. Fourth Edition. Saunders College Publishing; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers; 1988.

Gill, F.B. Ornithology. Third Edition. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company; 2007.

Faaborg, J. Ornithology: An Ecological Approach. New Jersey: Prentice Hall 1988

Pettingill, O.S. Ornithology in Laboratory and Field. Fifth Edition. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers; 1985.

Proctor, N.S. and Lynch, P.J. Manual of Ornithology. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1993.

Fedduccia, A. The Age of Birds. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press: 1980.

Lack, D. Population Studies of Birds. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1966.

Journals

Auk Condor Wilson Bulletin Journal of Animal Ecology Journal of Wildlife Management Ibis

Journal of Field Ornithology American Naturalist British Birds Science Oikos

Other References

Scientific American Discover National Geographic Living Bird

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