Ornithological Methods

Abstract

This subject introduces students to a range of scientific methods used commonly in the field of ornithology. The subject covers both laboratory and field methods for studying the morphology, anatomy, diversity, breeding biology, survival, movement, behaviour, ecology, life history evolution and conservation of birds. Students will learn the appropriate ways of measuring these parameters and the limitations of each study technique. This subject contains a compulsory 4-day intensive, which teaches students a range of hands-on practical skills and techniques used commonly in the field of ornithology. On completion, students will have the background knowledge and technical skills necessary to commence a career as a professional ornithologist or become involved in ornithological research.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: Ornithology - a modern science requiring a robust study design;Bird census and survey techniques;Breeding biology;Birds in the hand;Estimating survival and movement;Migration;Studying bird behaviour;Diet and foraging behaviour;Habitat assessment;The comparative approach to studying avian life history evolution;Techniques in avian physiology and genetics; andConservation management of … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

Ornithology - a modern science requiring a robust study design;
Bird census and survey techniques;
Breeding biology;
Birds in the hand;
Estimating survival and movement;
Migration;
Studying bird behaviour;
Diet and foraging behaviour;
Habitat assessment;
The comparative approach to studying avian life history evolution;
Techniques in avian physiology and genetics; and
Conservation management of endangered species.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

demonstrate advanced knowledge about a range of ornithological methods that are appropriate and ethical when studying birds;

apply professional skills in sourcing and understanding scientific information about birds;

develop an overview on how to design and conduct a rigorous, scientific, ornithological study; and

demonstrate extensive skills in data analysis and writing a scientific ornithological manuscript.

Assumed knowledge

Assumed knowledge equivalent to BIO Level 3 subject content

Learning activities

Intensive Schools

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day intensive, where students gain a range of hands-on practical skills and techniques used commonly in the field of ornithology. During the intensive, students acquire practical skills in setting up mist-nets, extracting birds from mist-nests, handling, measuring and banding birds, measuring bird diversity and abundance and how to study bird nest survival, morphology, anatomy and taxonomy.

Through these applied and hands-on activities, students will gain the necessary practical and technical skills to undertake field work/research as a professional ornithologist.

Duration4 days

Learning resources

Additional resources required by students

Students attending compulsory intensive schools on Charles Sturt campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources.

Handbook

BIO433 - Ornithological Methods