ESRM 452ESRM 452Field Field

OrnithologyOrnithologyProfessor: John MarzluffProfessor: John MarzluffOffice: 123 E Anderson HallOffice: 123 E Anderson HallPhone: 206 616 6883Phone: 206 616 6883Email: Email: corvid@u.washington.edu

Class BasicsClass Basics►Web siteWeb site

http://www.cfr.washington.edu/classes.esrm.452/Syllabus_ESRM452.

► Class email listClass email list Important to monitor your u. account for Important to monitor your u. account for

announcements related to field trips, etc.announcements related to field trips, etc.►esrm452a_au15@uw.edu

Schedule of Events(see syllabus for details)

•Mondays at SEFS parking lot (back by loading dock), or in Wink (107) if really lousy weather•Thursdays at the Burke

•Examine specimens, sketch or photo key characters, short lectures on biology of group•Look at photos of birds, listen to calls

•Field Trips•Oct 23-25 (camping, eastern Washington)•November 14 (day trip, Nisqually)•December 5 (day trip, Skagit)

Assignments and GradesAssignments and Grades►Field Exams (~ 150 pts)Field Exams (~ 150 pts)►1 Lab Final (200 pts)1 Lab Final (200 pts)►Field Journal (30 accounts; 60 pts)Field Journal (30 accounts; 60 pts)►1 Life History Report (50 pts)1 Life History Report (50 pts)►1 Field Study (100 pts)1 Field Study (100 pts)

Some Fundamentals of Bird IDSome Fundamentals of Bird ID

What You NeedWhat You Need► Binoculars!Binoculars!► Good eyes and earsGood eyes and ears► Careful observation and sketch of key Careful observation and sketch of key

characterscharacters► Field Guide (Sibley) and Audio Guide (Keller Field Guide (Sibley) and Audio Guide (Keller

and Vyn)and Vyn) Ibird and other new electronic guidesIbird and other new electronic guides

► PatiencePatience► CuriosityCuriosity

Strategies of BirdwatchingStrategies of Birdwatching1.1. Before you look, know what you are looking for.Before you look, know what you are looking for.

2.2. Know the key characters of orders and likely Know the key characters of orders and likely suspects.suspects.

  3.3. What you don't see is as important as what you What you don't see is as important as what you

do seedo see..  

4.4. Look carefully enough to render a sketch in the Look carefully enough to render a sketch in the field, then look it up.field, then look it up.

  

Sketch FirstSketch First►http://www.easy-drawings-and-sketche

s.com/draw-a-bird.html►Focus on proportionsFocus on proportions►Bill, legs, key colorationBill, legs, key coloration

Some Basic Tests of IDSome Basic Tests of IDAfter your sketch consider:After your sketch consider:1: Characters of the Order or Family1: Characters of the Order or Family  ► By using the general appearance By using the general appearance

of the body shape, size of bill, legs, of the body shape, size of bill, legs, behavior etc. you can eliminate certain behavior etc. you can eliminate certain families of birds from consideration.families of birds from consideration.

New New TaxonomyTaxonomy►Erich D. Erich D.

Jarvis et al. Jarvis et al. Science Science 2014;346:13202014;346:1320-1331-1331

Silhouettes Can HelpSilhouettes Can Help

(From Peterson’s Field Guide)

Silhouettes Can HelpSilhouettes Can Help

(From Peterson’s Field Guide)

Some Basic Tests of IDSome Basic Tests of ID2. Location2. Location

  ► You can eliminate all birds not You can eliminate all birds not

found in your geographic area, found in your geographic area, elevation, season or habitat. Obviously, elevation, season or habitat. Obviously, this is not foolproof because this is not foolproof because occasionally a bird does occur where or occasionally a bird does occur where or when it isn't supposed to but this is a when it isn't supposed to but this is a good general rule to use in the good general rule to use in the beginning of your adventure with birds.beginning of your adventure with birds.

Some Basic Tests of IDSome Basic Tests of ID3: Characters of the Species3: Characters of the Species  ► A species can now be identified by A species can now be identified by

looking at specific details of a group of looking at specific details of a group of species. For example, look at color species. For example, look at color patterns, wing bars, eye-rings, etc. The patterns, wing bars, eye-rings, etc. The field guides are good for this level of field guides are good for this level of identification.identification.

Key CharactersKey Characters

(From Birds of Costa Rica)

More CharactersMore Characters

(From Birds of Costa Rica)

More CharactersMore Characters

(From Birds of Costa Rica)

More CharactersMore Characters

(From Birds of Costa Rica)

Lets Start with What You Lets Start with What You KnowKnow

►Common birds of campusCommon birds of campus►Historical perspective (Miller and Historical perspective (Miller and

Curtis reading)Curtis reading)►This Weekend go outside, observe one This Weekend go outside, observe one

bird that is not familiar to you, sketch bird that is not familiar to you, sketch it, consult book to ID it.it, consult book to ID it.