Dr. David Swanson, Office: CL 168E

Lecture: 12:00-12:50 MW, Old Main 201; Laboratory: 2:00-4:50 W, CL 150

Textbook: Gill, F.B. 2007. Ornithology, 3rd Edition. W. H. Freeman, New York.

Lab Manual: National Geographic Society. 2006. Field Guide to the Birds of North America. 5th Edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.

Optional Lab Manual: Tallman, Swanson and Palmer. 2002. The Birds of South Dakota. 3^rd Edition. South Dakota Ornithologists' Union, Aberdeen, SD.

OBJECTIVES: This course is designed so that the student will achieve a general understanding of birds and how they function. This objective requires a synthesis of several fields of zoology (ecology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, evolution, and systematics) as they apply to birds. Indeed, the study of birds has led to fundamental advances in many of these fields. Some time will also be devoted to experimental techniques for avian investigation and potential avenues for future research within each of these fields. The laboratory portion of the course will emphasize identification of birds, particularly the birds of the Northern Prairie region. Several weekend field trips will be scheduled to observe birds of the area and participation in at least 4 of these field trips will be required. If time and weather permit, some laboratory time will be allocated for actual practice of field techniques (e.g., mist-netting, censusing, etc.).