BIOSM 3740

Field Ornithology

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

The biology, ecology, and behavior of the avifauna of the Isles of Shoals. Focuses on fieldwork designed to observe and study territoriality, breeding biology, and survivorship. Students learn and apply numerous ornithological field methods including various census techniques, territory mapping, banding, behavioral observations and creating a field notebook.

Prerequisites one semester of college-level biology or equivalent.

Enrollment Priority Please refer to the Shoals Marine Lab website for enrollment instructions.

Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG), (BIO-AS)

Exploratory Studies (CU-SBY)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SU, 2024SU, 2022SU, 2021SU

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify the birds of the Isles of Shoals by sight and sound.
• Describe the diversity of life-history strategies pursued by these birds.
• Identify and describe evolutionary adaptations that allow birds to thrive in various environments.
• Engage in dialogue about conservation challenges facing bird populations and gain knowledge of approaches used to ensure the long-term persistence of seabird populations.
• Apply a variety of field techniques used for studying birds including banding, survey methods (point counts, transects, spot mapping), nest monitoring, and behavioral observations.
• Keep an appropriate and detailed field journal.
• Develop and test ecological hypotheses through an independent project, to summarize and analyze data, and to present scientific information appropriately in both written and oral form.

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