Text: Ornithology, 3rd edition  by Frank B. Gill

Lab Manual: Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure & Function by Noble S. Proctor & Patrick J. Lynch

Field Guide: The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America by David Allen Sibley is available at the bookstore (but other guides can also be used).

Lecture Notes:

Course objectives: To learn the basic principles of ornithology & to learn how to identify most of the birds found in Kentucky & the eastern United States

Course requirements:

1) Exams. There will be four 75-point lecture exams, three lab exams worth a total of 225 pts, and four lab quizzes worth a total of 95 pts. Lecture exams will be based on lecture material plus material from the text. Review questions, based on material in the text, will be provided for each exam (Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, & Exam 4).

2) Survey of birds. Beginning on February 28, we'll begin an overview of all the birds that you must be able to identify for lab quizzes and exams. As part of this process, we'll be reviewing each species. Specifically, for each species, information will be provided concerning their range, population status (i.e., stable, increasing, or decreasing and reasons why), migratory status (resident, winter visitor, or just present during the breeding season in Kentucky), habitats used, interesting aspects of their breeding biology, migratory behavior, winter ecology, food habits and foraging strategies, other interesting aspects of behavior and/or ecology, and, of course, how to identify them in the field (important field marks, behaviors, and so on useful for identification). Each student will be assigned several species and will be responsible for presenting this information for those species. The presentation should be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation and should include minimal text plus useful and relevant (and good quality) figures (e.g., maps), photographs, and drawings. Each student will be assigned one 'group' of species. 'Groups' will be assigned randomly (the list of species is provided at http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/birdlist.html) and students will be expected to be ready to present when their species are scheduled to be covered in lab. Presentations are worth 30 points each and will be graded based upon the quality of the presentation and information provided (the evaluation sheet is available at http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/presentation_evaluation.html).

3) Bird biogeography (FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY). Each graduate student will be assigned a zoogeographic realm and will give a 40-45 minute presentation on the avifauna of that realm, e.g., origin, diversity (and possible explanations for that diversity), endemics or near endemics, conservation status, primary threats facing bird populations, and so on. Presentations will be worth 40 points and will be graded based upon the quality of the presentation and information provided (the evaluation sheet is available at http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/zoogeog_pres.html). For each presentation, a series of 10 - 15 review questions (questions that will be answered during the presentation) will be provided to other students in the class and these questions may subsequently be included on lecture exams. Presentations are scheduled for: TBD.

4) Bird Vocalizations (50 pts). Students will be required to learn the vocalizations/songs of several species of birds. The list of species and the vocalizations you'll need to know is available on the 'Bird Vocalizations' page. Students will be tested on their knowledge of these vocalizations in a lab test (April 16).

Grading: There will be a possible total of 700 pts for undergraduate students and 740 pts for graduate students.

• For undergraduates: 630-700 = A, 560-629 = B, 490-559 = C, 420-489 = D, & 419 or less = F.
• For graduates: 666-740 = A, 592-665 = B, 518-591 = C, 444-517 = D, & 443 or less = F.

Disability Statement: If you are registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please make an appointment with me to discuss any academic accommodations you need. If you need academic accommodations and are not registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please contact the office on the third floor of the Student Services Building, by email at disabilities@eku.edu, or by telephone at (859) 622-2933 V/TDD. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms.

Attendance policy: Attendance is required only on exam & quiz days.

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