Ornithology Online Course

A fascinating guide into the world of birds, especially suited for those with a passion for bird-watching.  Bird lovers of all types will gain indepth knowledge in bird classification and biology, environments and migration patterns. Review the varied ecosystems, from marine birds to wetlands and hardy desert dwellers.  Discover how to go about attracting birds to the home garden.

This course is suitable for:

• animal carers
• zoo keepers
• bird watchers
• environmental workers
• veterinary nurses
• pet shop employees
• anyone with a passion for birds

If you are interested in keeping and / or breeding birds then we recommend you also enrol in our Aviculture Course

Course Aims:

• Discuss the study of birds, including bird taxonomy
• Describe anatomical and physical characteristics of birds.
• Discuss a range of different common and widespread land birds.
• Discuss a range of different flightless and long legged birds including Ratites and Ciconiiformes.
• Discuss and describe a range of water birds and sea birds.
• Discuss and describe a range of hunting birds.
• Discuss and describe a range of Passeriformes.
• Discuss and describe a range of parrots and other birds..
• Explain domestication of birds and the methodology and implications of attracting and feeding wild birds.

There are 9 Lessons in this course:

1. Classification and Introduction to Bird Watching

• • Nature and scope of ornithology (over 9,000 species)
  • Place of Birds in Nature
  • Bird Classification (Aves, Ratitae, Carinate)
  • Use of common names and scientific names
  • Fossil or Extinct Birds
  • Classes and Sub Classes
  • Comparing characteristics of different Super orders
  • Comparing characteristics of all major bird Families
  • Resources for further information
  • Bird Watching equipment

2. The Biology of Birds

• • Anatomical features
  • Skeleton
  • Feathers
  • Feather Colour
  • Wings
  • Wing Types (elliptical, high speed, long soaring, high lift)
  • Legs and Feet
  • Beaks and Bills
  • Internal Structure
  • Respiration
  • Excretion
  • Digestion
  • Circulation
  • Senses
  • Avian Behaviours (Flight, Diving, Reproduction, Courtship, Bonding, Territoriality, Nesting)
  • Formation of Eggs and Hatching
  • Feeding
  • Vocalisations
  • Migration
  • Habitats

3. Common and Widespread Land Birds

• • Eagles and Relatives; Carthatidae (New World vultures, condors)
  • Pandionidae (osprey)
  • Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites)
  • Sagittariidae (secretary bird)
  • Falconidae (falcons, caracaras)
  • Crows and their Relatives
  • Butcher birds, Currawongs and related birds
  • Pigeons (structure, feeding, breeding, types)
  • Doves
  • The Dodo
  • Cuckoos
  • Pest and Introduced Birds (for man countries); Indian Mynah, Sparrow, Thrush, Starling, etc

4. Giant Birds and Long Legged Birds

• • Ratitites; Ostrich, Emu, Moa, Rhea, Cassowary, Kiwi, South American Tinamous, extinct giant Elephant bird and Dodo
  • Herons, Storks and relatives

5. Seabirds and Water Birds

• • Anseriformes; ducks, geese, swans etc
  • Gruiformes; cranes, coots, mud hens, rails
  • Charadriformes; sandpipers, snipes, curlews, plovers, dotterels, etc
  • Gaviiformes; divers
  • Gulls, Skuas, Auks, Puffins, Terns
  • Tube Nosed Birds
  • Albatrosses
  • Petrels, Storm Petrels and Diving Petrels
  • Pelicans and Relatives
  • Gannets
  • Cormorants
  • Boobies, Frigate Birds, Tropic Birds
  • Penguins

6. Hunters -Birds of Prey, Owls, and Kingfishers

• • Eagles
  • Eagle species
  • Hawks
  • Kites
  • Osprey
  • Falcons
  • Vultures
  • Owls
  • Breeding behaviours of birds of prey
  • Kingfishers

7. Passeriformes

• • Scope of “songbirds” or “perching birds”.
  • Features common to Passeriformes
  • Varieties of Passeriformes (Primitive and Advanced)
  • Muscicapidae; thrush
  • Robins
  • Flycatchers, Larks, Pippits, Wingtails
  • Swallows and Martins; physical characteristics, breeding and nesting
  • Fringilllidae; finches

8. Other Birds

• • Parrots; structure, feeding, breeding, species
  • Honeyeaters, Swifts
  • Galliformes; chicken.
  • Other Orders

9. Attracting, Feeding and Keeping Birds

• • How plants benefit birds
  • Plants that attract birds
  • Feeding Birds
  • Bird Care; parasites, catching and handling, caring for a sick bird
  • Common Ailments