In this case study, based on the reported rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in April 2005, students examine a real-world example of the scientific process and explore the practical implications of their conclusions. The case tells the story of Brad Murky, a student and research assistant who must decide whether the available evidence is…

Birds serve as an excellent group of organisms from which to introduce the study of ecology, being of inherent aesthetic interest to many otherwise uninterested in science, and are also ubiquitous in the immediate environment of many students. By extension, images of birds might serve as a valuable resource for the ecology educator, and bird…

The Building Migratory Bridges (BOMB) program--a collaboration between the Marvel wood School and Audubon Sharon in Connecticut and Conservation Research Education Action (CR EA), a U.S. not-for-profit in Panama--uses nontropical migratory bird research in the United States and Panama to demonstrate how negative environmental impacts in one…

A landmark group of Cornell University is dedicated to diffusing every possible information available on ornithology, the website is divided into several different sections. There is enough material in this website to cover various units in any life science or integrated science course (www.birds.cornell.edu/programs.allaboutbirds).

All animals must make choices regarding what foods to eat, where to eat, and how much time to spend feeding. Optimal foraging theory explains these behaviors in terms of costs and benefits. This laboratory exercise focuses on optimal foraging theory by investigating the winter feeding behavior of birds on the goldenrod gall fly by comparing…

The types of habitats that exist along the ocean shore and the various types of birds inhabiting them are detailed. Topics discussed include shorebird feeding habits and methods, nesting patterns, and seasonal migration. (BT)

Describes the use of Web technology to create a repository for American bird songs at Northeastern Sate University (Oklahoma). Explains the use of software to translated bird songs into a sonogram, or picture, of what the sounds look like for ornithology students to better learn bird vocalizations. (LRW)

Presented are descriptions of and information about various endangered species in Wisconsin. They include: the timber wolf (Canis lupus lycaon); Forester's tern (Sterna forsteri); the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis); Higgins' eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsii); the piping plover (Charadrius melodus); the osprey (Pandion haliaetus); the…

Describes the behavior and characteristics of Canada geese. (CM)

An analysis of citations in the 1993 volumes of the 4 most-cited ornithological journals revealed that 75% of references were to serials, 22.5% to books, and 2.5% to dissertations. The study found that 96.73% of citations were in English, title dispersion included 755 journals, and time span was greater than 33 years. Lists the 69 most-cited…

Traces the roots of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, which provides programs to encourage outdoor experiences. Summarizes a forum on natural history education titled, "Breaking the Barriers: Linking Children and Nature." Lists strategies for improving environmental education and objectives for the institute. (KS)

Provided is a listing of the common nesting birds and the neotropical migrant birds with nesting records in the approximate 65 acres of Fernbank Forest which is a preserve of mature urban hardwoods and pines within 10 miles of downtown Atlanta and a relic of what was once a large, uninterrupted tract of the Piedmont forest. (JJK)

Discusses the increasing interest of the public in nature and art of the 18th and 19th centuries, and making watercolor painting a part of the curriculum. Focuses on the works and publishing of Gwillim, Wilson, Audubon, and Peterson. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Presents a field formula for calculating speed and flight efficiency of soaring birds. By estimating the size of the bank angle and timing the complete circle, the observer can determine the speed and circling radius on a chart provided. Lift coefficients and flight characteristics of several birds are also discussed. (DH)