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| Bio 307 Course Description. | Dr. Broyles' page. |
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Instructor: Steven B. Broyles Office: 231 Bowers Hall (753-2901)
E-mail: broyles@cortland.edu
Office Hours: MWF 1:30-3:00 P.M.; Tu 9:00-11:00 A.M. and F 9:30-11:00 A.M. or by appointment.
Objectives:
The course is designed with two major goals in mind. First, you will develop an understanding of the anatomy, behavior, evolution, and physiology of birds. Second, you will learn to observe and identify birds that are commonly found in central New York. Students will be asked to visually identify 120 bird species and identify 60 species by song.
Texts:
1. Proctor, N.S. and P. J. Lynch. 1993. Manual of Ornithology. Avian Structure and Function. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
2. Dunn, J.L. 1999. National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America: Revised and Updated. National Geographic Society.
Additional Readings:
These will be available early in the semester. I recommend that each student make photocopies of the articles to read and for review prior to examinations. A complete list of these readings can be found in this syllabus.
Required Materials: Field Notebook, Binoculars, Cassette Tapes
Binoculars of reasonable quality should be purchased or borrowed by each student. A good pair of binoculars will have a 7-8X magnification and an outside lens diameter of 35-42 mm. These values are always reported with the binoculars as 7 x 35 (i.e., 7X magnification and 35 mm lens diameter). A lens diameter to magnification ratio should equal five or greater. This feature is important because it allows the user to observe birds under low light condition such as in a light fog, at dawn/dusk, or in a forest. For example, a pair of 7 x 42 binoculars has a ratio of six and are very good for viewing birds in low light conditions. Bushnell sells a nice inexpensive pair of 8 x 40 binoculars that cost as little as 50-60$.
Students are required to purchase laboratory safety goggles, gloves, and dissection kits. These materials will be used early in the semester and should be purchased immediately. If you have already purchased a kit for another course, then a new kit is not necessary. The Department of Biologcal Sciences won’t provide these materials in the event that the student forgets them on a particular lab day.
We will be recording bird vocalizations using parabolic microphones and cassette tape recorders. A computer interface and special software will be used to create spectrograms of recorded vocalizations. Students should provide their own high quality cassette tape.
Field Trips:
PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED ON ALL FIELD TRIPS. Failure to attend scheduled field trips can result in a grade reduction on examinations and quizzes. Several trips have been scheduled outside of normal class time to allow for travel time and to observe birds during peak activity. Please be an early bird for all field trips! You may want to bring a drink and a snack for some of the longer field trips.
Please note the following important field trip dates:
March 25 THURSDAY (5:00 AM- Noon) MONTEZUMA N.W.R.
April 8 THURSDAY (6:30 PM-9:00 PM) WOODCOCK HUNT
April 24 SATURDAY (7:30 AM-3:00 PM) DERBY HILL
April 30-May 2 Weekend-optional trip to Cape May, NJ
An additional evening (9- 11:30 P.M.) or early morning (3:30-6:00 A.M.) trip(s) may be announced during the last two weeks of April. The purpose of these trips will be to use microphones to eavesdrop and identify nocturnal migrants. The scheduling of these trips will be difficult as it requires weather conditions conducive to migration.
Examinations:
All examinations will be based on lectures notes, reading assignments, and discussions. Make-up exams ARE NOT given unless arranged with the instructor in advance of the exam. Each of the three mid-semester lecture exams is worth 50 points. The final exam is comprehensive and will include an ID component for a total of 100 points. The first and second exam will be largely written. The third exam will have a significant identification component. The final exam will have both written and identification components. (Total of exam points will be 250 points)
Lab Quizzes:
Two laboratory quizzes will be given during the semester. The third is considered part of the final exam. Lab quizzes will be based exclusively on material presented in lab and birds that you will be asked to learn. Questions will be presented in the form of short answer essay, identification on dissections/study skins, and audio or visual identification of birds. Each quiz is worth 50 points (Total of 100 points)
Collection of Avian Vocalizations:
We will construct parabolic microphones that will be used to capture avian vocalizations in the field. Each student is expected to collect a minimum of 25 high quality SONGS (calls excluded) that can be used to identify 25 species. Recordings should be catalogued on cassette tapes, captured using computer software, either SYRINXPC or Raven, and a spectrogram should be printed for each song. The collection is due on or before the final exam period. Although students may work in pairs, I EXPECT THAT THE PAIR DOES ALL WORK TOGETHER. This includes both field work and laboratory analysis. Students will need to work diligantly and plan ahead. We have a limited number of microphones and recorders. Sign-out schedules will be posted for recording equipment. This project is worth 25 points.
Discussions:
You will be required to read several current research articles on topics presented in class. The papers chosen for the spring 2004 class are listed on a separate page labeled APresentation Readings.@ One student will be in charge of presenting a short (10 minute) lecture/discussion to the class based on the supplemental reading. The teaching student should complete additional background reading on the birds and subject matter before leading the class lecture/discussion. All students are expected to complete all supplemental readings, contribute to the discussion by asking questions, providing additional information/interpretation, and critically reviewing the study.
Assignments:
You will be asked to prepare answers to problems or exercises, search World Wide Web locations, or make observations outside of class. Assignment material is appropriate for exam questions.
Graded Item
Number
Point Value
Total Points
Lecture Exams
3
50
150
Laboratory Quizzes-third quiz is part of final exam
2
50
100
Final Exam—Final ID Quiz
1
100
100
Classification & Paper Presentation
2
50
50
Digital Sound Library
1
100
100
TOTAL POINT VALUE
500
GRADE STRUCTURE:
A+ 97.5-100% B+ 87.5-89.9% C+ 77.5-79.9% D+ 67.5-69.9%
A 92.6-97.4% B 82.6-97.4% C 72.6-77.4% D 62.5-67.4%
A- 90.0-92.5% B- 80.0-82.5% C- 70.0-72.5% D- 60.0-62.4%
Date Lecture Topic and/or Discussion Assignment
Jan. 22 Th Origin of Birds / Bird Evolution Video
27 Tu Feathers & External Morphology
29 Th Feathers & External Morphology
Feb. 3 Tu Flight
5 Th Flight / Attenborough=s Life of BirdsBFlight
10 Tu Adaptive Physiology and Anatomy to Avian Flight
12 Th Adaptive Physiology and Anatomy to Avian Flight
17 Tu EXAM I
19 Th Adaptive Physiology / Feeding and Digestion
24 Tu Adaptive Physiology / Feeding and Digestion
26 Th Beak Morphology / Attenborough=s Life of BirdsBFeeding Adaptations
March 2 Tu Avian Vocalization & Song
4 Th Avian Vocalization —Parabolic Microphones & Recorders—Life of Birds-Song
16 Tu Classification: Loons, Grebes, Waterfowl
18 Th Classification: Waterfowl
23 Tu EXAM II
24 Th Classification: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, Owls
30 Tu Classification: Shore & Wading Birds
April 1 Th Classification: Woodpeckers
6 Tu Classification: Perching Birds— Sparrows, Finches, Cardinals
8 Th Classification: Perching Birds--Wrens, Creepers, Kinglets, Corvids
13 Tu Classification: Perching Birds--Blackbirds, Mimids, Vireos
15 Th Classification: Perching Birds—Thrushes, Warblers
20 Tu EXAM III
22 Th Natural and Sexual Selection
27 Tu Annual Cycles & Migration
29 Th Annual Cycles & Migration
May 4 Tu Annual Cycles & Migration
Ornithology Laboratory Schedule for 2004
January 22 Claw Curvature
January 29 Topography I pp. 66-77
Feathers pp. 81-105
Introduction to Field Guides
February 5 Topography II
Skeleton Chapter 5
Musculature Chapter 6
February 12 Digestion Chapter 7
Respiration Chapter 9
Urogenital Chapter 10
February 19 LAB QUIZ 1—meet at 9:30 A.M.
Winter Birds Local Walking Field Trip
February 26 Owl Pellets
Beak Morphology
Film
March 4 Parabolic and Pressure Zone Microphone Design and Testing
Ornithology Field Trip Schedule for 2004
Date Time Subject Location
March 18 8:15 A.M. Waterfowl & Early Spring Migrants Dryden Lake & Stupke Pond
March 25 5:00 A.M. Waterfowl & Early Spring Migrants Montezuma N.W.R.
April 1 8:15 A.M. Waterfowl & Early Spring Migrants Stewart Park-Ithaca
April 8 9:00 A.M. LAB Quiz 2
Sound Recordings of Birds
April 8 6:30 P.M. Evening Woodcock Hunt
April 15 8:15 A.M. Where ever looks good Local
April 22 8:15 A.M. Labrador Hollow, Tinkers Falls, Morgan Hill
April 24BSATURDAY 7:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M. Migratory Raptors Derby Hill
May 1 & 2 TBA Cape May Bird Round-up Cape May NJ
Presentation Readings
Presenter: TBR Date: Tuesday, January 27
1. Weimerskirch et al. 2003. Frigatebirds ride high on thermals. Nature 421:333-334.
Presenter: TBR Date: Tuesday, January 27
2. Weimerskirch et al. 2001. Energy saving in flight formation. Nature 413:697-698. Also see News & Views on page 685 of Vol. 413.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, February 12
3. Kvist et al. 2001. Carrying large fuel loads during sustained bird flight is cheaper than expected. Nature 413:730-732. Also see News & Views on page 685 of Vol. 413.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, February 12
4. Dial et al. 1997. Mechanical power output of bird flight. Nature 390: 67-70. Also see News & Views on page 13 of Vol. 390.
Presenter: TBR Date: Tuesday, February 24
5. Kortner et al. 2000. Winter torpor in a large bird. Nature 407:318.
Presenter: TBR Date: Tuesday, February 24
6. Negro et al. 2002. An unusual source of essential carotenoids. Nature 416:807.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, March 4
7. Podos. 2001. Correlated evolution of morphology and vocal signal structure in Darwin’s finches. Nature 409:185-188. Also see News & Views on page 139 of Vol. 409.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, March 4
8. Yamaguchi. 2001. Sex differences in vocal learning in birds. Nature 411:257-258.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, March 4
9. Slabbekoorn et al. 2003. Birds sing at a higher pitch in urban noise. Nature 424:267.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, April 29
10. Rubenstein et al. 2002. Linking breeding and wintering ranges of a migratory songbird using stable isotopes. Science 295:1062-1065.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, April 29
11. Fransson et al. Magnetic cues trigger extensive refuelling. Nature 414:35.
Presenter: TBR Date: Thursday, April 29
12. Wiltschko et al. 2002. Lateralization of magnetic compas orientation in a migratory bird. Nature 419:467-470.
Presenter: TBR Date: TBA
13. Irwin et al. 2001. Speciation in a ring. Nature 409:333-337. Also see News & Views on page 299 of Vol. 409.
Presenter: TBR Date: TBA
14. Klaasen et al. 2001. Arctic waders are not capital breeders. Nature 413:794.
Classification Presentations
Wading Birds-- Presenter:
Thursday, April 1
Great Blue Heron
Little Green Heron
American Bittern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Owls—Presenter:
Tuesday, 30 March
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Barn Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Hawks—Presenter:
Thursday, 25 March
Red-tailed Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Falcons, Osprey, and Harriers—Presenter:
Thursday, 25 March
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Northern Harrier
Osprey
Woodpeckers—Presenter:
Thursday, April 1
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Sparrows—Presenter:
Thursday, April 8
Song Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Thrushes, Kinglets—Presenter:
Tuesday, 13 April
Veery
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Bluebird
Blackbirds—Presenter:
Tuesday, 13 April
Eastern Meadowlark
Bobolink
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Kinglets, Creepers, and Wrens—Presenter:
Thursday, 6 April
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Flycatchers—Presenter:
Thursday, 15 April
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Wood Peewee
Great-creasted Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Mimids & Vireos—Presenter:
Thursday, April 13
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Early Spring Warblers—Presenter:
Thursday, 15 April
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Common Yellowthroat