Dr. David Swanson, Office: CL 180

Lecture: 1000-1050 TR, CL 158; Laboratory: 1400-1700 & 1800-2100 R, CL 158

Textbook: Gill, F.B. 1995. Ornithology, 2nd Edition. W. H. Freeman, New York.

Lab Manual: National Geographic Society. 1987. Field Guide to the Birds of North America. 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.

Optional Lab Manual: South Dakota Ornithologists' Union. 1991. The Birds of South Dakota. 2nd Edition. NSU Press, Aberdeen, SD.

OBJECTIVES: This course is designed so that the student will achieve a general understanding of birds and how they function. This objective requires a synthesis of several fields of zoology (ecology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, evolution, and systematics) as they apply to birds. Indeed, the study of birds has led to fundamental advances in many of these fields. Some time will also be devoted to experimental techniques for avian investigation and potential avenues for future research within each of these fields. The laboratory portion of the course will emphasize identification of birds, particularly the birds of the Northern Prairie region. Several weekend field trips will be scheduled to observe birds of the area and participation in at least 4 of these field trips will be required. If time permits, some laboratory time will be allocated for actual practice of field techniques (e.g., mist-netting, censusing, atlasing, etc.).