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ZOOLOGY SERIES
Birds and Birding in the Delaware Valley
Professor Clifford Hence

This course will be held at the Independence Branch of the Free Library, located at 18 S. 7th Street (7th and Market Streets), Philadelphia. 

LECTURES ARE HELD FROM 6:30 TO 7:45 PM

  1. Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - What is a Bird?

    Birds share a  variety of unique features that separate them from other species on earth. Feathers are just one of their adaptations. Feathers not only provide birds with the ability to fly, but also provide insulation and cryptic colorations for display and camouflage.

  2. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - Types of Birds

    Birds thrive in every habitat on earth from the northern Arctic to the southern Antarctic. They are much hardier then they appear and can, at times, live in very harsh conditions.

  3. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - Migration

    Birds undertake the longest and most difficult migrations of any creatures on the planet. Their longer journeys can cross hemispheres, but they also have shorter seasonal migrations as well.

  4. Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - Bird Identification
    Birds can be difficult to identify in the field. However, they all have unique "field marks" including color, size, shape and behaviors that can narrow the focus and lead to their identification.

  5. Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - Bird Songs

    Birds are known for their beautiful songs and sometimes ruckus calls. The calls can be simple and complex and are heard mostly during the day but also at night. There are ways to learn these calls and what they can signify to the birds.

  6. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - The Where and When of Birding

Different birds can be seen in the same place at different times of the year. This makes bird watching a year-round activity that provides the observer with the opportunity to see numerous species of birds without the need to travel extensively.

This course will discuss the anatomy of birds that provide them with their most unique ability - flight. There will also be a discussion of the adaptability of birds throughout the world and locally that enable them to survive in nearly every habitat of the planet. The course is also designed to provide students with the ability to recognize bird species and identify bird songs and calls. This will be an opportunity to  learn more about the birds in your garden as well as worldwide.

Recommended reading:

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America. By Roger Tory Peterson.

The Singing Life of Birds: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong. By Donald Kroodsman.

Why Birds Sing: A Journey into the Mystery of Birdsong. By David Rothenberg.

The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. By David Allen Sibley.

 

 

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