Aloha Everyone,
My joy and intention is to advance to the next level of birding. It’s true that one does not require the scientific knowledge of an ornithologist but as I observed Goose Island State Park staff and birdwatching volunteers, it certainly makes sense for me to gain additional education on ornithology. The following is a list I made for myself:
A. Ornithology is the study of birds. It is a branch of zoology. The word "ornithology" traces its root to the Ancient Greek word öpvιç ornis ("bird") and λόγος logos ("rationale" or "explanation").
B. More than 10,000 species of birds live on the planet.
C. Some birds live in deserts; some birds live in rainforests; some birds fly 200 miles per hour; some birds do not fly at all. Some birds weigh over 300 pounds, while others only weigh a few ounces.
D. Not all birds sing. Some only make simple sound that cannot be called “song”.
E. Ali birds have:
- Streamlined bodies
- Pneumatic bones i.e. Hollow bones that help them to fly
- Feathers, to keep them insulated
- Warm blooded (can regulate their body temperature)
- Have backbone as aves are vertebrates
- Oviparous (they lay eggs)
- Have wings
For helpful YouTube playlist of Bird Song Hero, song learning game mentioned to me by Karen Sisk, a fellow birder go to: https://www.youtube.com/
Happy birding everyone!
Aloha -- Cathi
