History ofOrnithology

Reference Chapters 1-2

ADVANCED LEC

01ORNITHOLOGYUniversity of Rio GrandeDonald P. Althoff, Ph.D.

Long Standing Interest by Humans

As symbols, myths, art, and science:• Served as symbols of war and peace

• Served as subjects of art

• Served as subjects for scientific study

• Served as mascots/nicknames for sports

As Symbols of Ideology, Inspiration & Religion

• _______ served as symbol of motherhood in Mesopotamia,associated with Aphrodite—the Greek goddess of love, for Christianity it represents the Holy Spirit and is associated with the Virgin Mary

• _______ known to have appeared as symbols of Westerncivilization as early as 3000 B.C., in Greek mythology the messenger of Zeus, the war symbol of many North American natives, and bald eagle of the national birdof the United States

• _______ was Apollo’s messenger, Noah—after 40 days sent both a dove and a raven to discover whether flood- waters had receded, Native American folklore describes its generosity in sharing food with stranded men

• Etc.

Diversity of Human Interest in Birds

• _______ have long been a part of the human diet• __________________, a form of the Red Junglefowl, exited in India

before 3000 B.C., known in China by 1500 B.C, and in Greeceby 700 B.C.

• ____________________ were domesticated in the Far East by 1000 B.C. in the Far East

• Romans developed ___________________ and raising of poultry for food

• _________ have served as both carrier and as a prized food• _________ most likely originated as far back as 2000 B.C., with thesport

flourishing in Europe by the Middle Ages• _________ have been widely used for ornamentation among North

and South American peoples, in Africa, and the Western Pacific

Native Peoples:both ___________ &

__________ (i.e., movement)

Diversity of Human Interest in Birds• Art • Sculpture• Literature • First illustrations for “birders”: 15th century --

Among the most famous: produced in 1827-1830 was by___________________ (think “Aubudon Society): Birds of

North America• ______________ of Today (aka last 50+ years) for birders:

Roger Tory Peterson ~ 1934

Early Ornithology• Aristotle’s _____________. History of Animals is first

known effort in Western culture reflecting start of “modern science of ornithology.” -included written, organized research-included natural history information

• Alexander of Myndos’ ________________ wrote 3-volume work on animals that included birds

• ..and others pre-17th century• Major step towards “modern” ornithology occurred in

18th century (1700s). In _________________, an English clergyman, published a natural history of his parish that covered 40 year span. Included information about basic biology of birds, about species, about ecological niches, physiology, and migration.

Ornithology Today

• Our knowledge of birds today is ______________ than most other classes (think from birds to mammals to reptiles to amphibians to fishes to insects)

• By 1980s, birds provided ______________________ of biological phenomena than any other class of vertebrates

• _____________ winners related to major discoveries:Niko Tinbergen—evolution of behavior with gullsKonrad Lorenz—ducks and geese behaviorAlbert Szent-Gyorgyhi—eludication of Krebs cyclePayton Rous—avian sarcoma linking viruses to

cancer

Ornithology Today: Early Well-known Ornithologists(just a few…)

• John James ___________ 1766-1813 –published illustrations• Alexander ________1766-1813 –father of American ornithology• John _________ 1804-1881 –English ornithologist, with large

illustrated volumes and collection of exotic bird skins• Thomas _______ 1786-1859 – wrote first field guide of North

American birds• Frank _________ 1864-1945 –curator of bird collections

American Museum of Natural History; started Aububon Society• Margaret Morse _____ 1883-1974 –”an American housewife

who was the greatest scholar of them all” per Tinbergen• David _____ 1910-1973 –helped develop radar then used it to

study bird migration

Ornithology Today…con’t

• Advances in ____________ theory• Deciphering of __________ relations• Increased knowledge of ____________ and

____________ ecology• Increased knowledge of _____________ ecology• Increased understanding of ______________ including:

-sexual selection-roles of kinship and cooperation-maximized lifetime reproductive success

• Advances in how birds use their __________________(think seeing in UV range—which humans cannot)

Ornithology Today… CONSERVATION POWER

• Sensitivity to environment: think Rachel Carson’s ______ book ______ _______ …a book that ignited the modern era of positive environmentalism

• Failure of seabird reproduction heralded the _______ phenomenon

• Recognition of well-known _____________: dodo, great auk, and passenger pigeon

• Well known “__________________: penguins, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, etc.

Birders have value: • Understanding __________ of vertebrates

• ____________ perception & intelligence

• ______________ of environmental quality & ecosystem health

• Engage public in ________________ of landscapes & ecosystems

• Huge __________ impact—both food production & ecotourism

• Etc.