Bi0270 Ornithology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Miroslav Čapek, CSc. (lecturer), doc. RNDr. Zdeněk Řehák, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bartonička, Ph.D.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bartonička, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 14:00–17:50 UBO
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( Bi2090 Verteb. phylog. & divers. || Ex_3927 Zoologie obratlovců )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Ornithology as a science. Fundamental concepts. Research on birds on both national and global levels. Institutions. Societies. Literature. Applied ornithology. Birds as indicators of environmental changes. Protection of birds. Endangered and extinct species. Causes. Seasonal movements in birds. Patterns of migration.The Northern and Southern Hemisphere Migrants. Ornithogeography. Birds of the World. Avifauna of the Czech Republic: recent status, changes, trends, protection. Identification of birds in the field. Terminology. Equipment.
Learning outcomes
After the course the student:
- is informed about the fundamentals of ornithology, its history and latest trends;
- is familiar with the fundamentals of basic and applied scientific research on birds (on both national and global levels) and its contributions to other branches of vertebratology, zoology and other disciplines;
- is informed about ornithological literature and databases, and is able to use them appropriately in their study;
- is able to understand the consequences of the devastating human activities on bird communities and habitats, and is familiar with the principal causes of extinction and endangerment of bird species. Based on this knowledge, they will be able to present arguments in favor of bird protection as birds are amongst the most vulnerable and endangered animals;
- has a general knowledge of seasonal movements of birds, is able to understand the complexity and diversity of migration strategies, and is familiar with main global flyways, which is the knowledge indispensable for the protection of birds on both national and global levels;
- acquires general knowledge of avifaunas of the zoogeographical regions of the world, their richness and diversity;
- based on several field courses they become familiar with the complexities of bird identification as well as the behavior and ecology of bird species occurring in various different types of habitats;
- is familiar with the ornithological equipment used both in the field and laboratory;
Syllabus
  • Ornithology as the branch of zoology. Research on birds. National and international societies and organizations. International ornithological congresses. Ornithological literature.
  • Applied ornithology. Interactions between birds and men. Birds as indicators of environmental change.
  • Conservation of bird habitats and species. Principal causes of extinction and endangerment. Bird species in most serious danger. Extinct birds.
  • Seasonal movements in birds. Patterns of migration. Flight techniques. Orientation and navigation. Northern and Southern Hemisphere migrants. Irruptions. Migratory birds: Threats and conservation.
  • Ornithogeography. The main features of the Nearctic, Neotropical, Palearctic, Afrotropical, Malagasy, Oriental (Indomalayan), Australasian, Pacific and Antarctic avifaunas.
  • Birds of the Czech Republic. Species composition and distribution. Recent status, changes, trends. Rare, endangered and extinct species. Conservation. A birding calendar for the Czech Republic.
  • Identifying birds. Terminology relating to bird identification. Identification in the field: visible field marks, jizz, songs, calls and sounds. Taking notes, photographing, tape-recording. Submitting records. Equipment.
Literature
  • Del Hoyo, J. (ed.), 2020: All the Birds of the World. - Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
  • Winkler, D. V., Billerman, S. M., Lovette, I. J., 2015: Bird Families of the World: An Invitation to the Spectacular Diversity of Birds. Lynx Edicions & Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Barcelona & Ithaca.
  • NEWTON, J., 2008: The Migration Ecology of Birds. Academic Press, London, Burlington & San Diego.
  • DEL HOYO, J., ELLIOTT, A. , SARGATAL, J., CHRISTIE, D. (eds.), 1992-2013: Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vols. 1-16 + Special Volume. - Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
  • HUDEC, K. a kol., HUDEC, K., ŠŤASTNÝ, K. a kol., 1994, 2005, 2011: Fauna ČR a SR - Ptáci 1., Ptáci ČR 2/1 a 2/2, Ptáci ČR 3/1 a 3/2. – Academia, Praha.
  • ELPHICK, J. (ed.), 2007: The Atlas of Bird Migration. Natural History Museum, London.
  • CAMPBELL, B. & LACK, E., 1997: A Dictionary of Birds. T & A D Poyser, London.
  • SVENSSON, L., GRANT, P.J., MULLARNEY, K. & ZETTERSTRÖM, D., 2010: Collins Bird Guide. - HarperCollins, London.
Teaching methods
Lectures, field course.
Assessment methods
Oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: vypisuje se jen v sudé roky (2006,...).
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2022/Bi0270