The Field and Laboratory Studies on Ornithology

Description

Ornithology is the systematic organisation and presentation knowledge of birds which relates to them, as well as the logical inference of much that is still unknown. Ornithology studies the physical structure, physiological functions, and mental characteristics of birds including their habits and manners; their geographical distribution and geological succession; their probable ancestry; and their relationships with other animals, including humans. Ornithology must be studied in both the laboratory and the field because knowledge of birds "in the hand" is insufficient without understanding of birds "in the wild," and vice versa.

An introduction to the form, structure, and physiology of birds is fundamental to the study of ornithology. This is best for making direct observations on the physical make-up of a "generalized" bird, such as the Rock Dove or Common Pigeon, and studying the role of each organ system in the birds. The focus should be on the characteristics that will help people appreciate birds as biological entities. Certain characteristics must frequently be compared to their human homologues in order to be understood. However, each species is restricted to a specific geographical range, which can range from several hundred acres, as on a sea island, to one or more continents in size. Geographic location ranges are unstable due to species' proclivity to invade new areas. Cyclonic storms may aid or hasten resettlement by transporting individuals to a new location where they can survive in a suitable environment.

Hundreds of researchers are drawn to the behavior of birds. Each species has an impressive repertoire of innate behaviors, and its ability to learn is comparable to that of most mammals. Because there are so many different bird species, each with a distinct culture, researchers can study a wide range of behaviors. In the study of behavior, the procedure is to identify, describe, and name the behaviors of a species, and then to determine what each behavior accomplishes, its significance to the species' survival, its causes, how it has evolved and if it is natural, learned, or a combination of the two. Many mating displays are actually the result of maintenance activities like preening or scratching, as well as displacement activities. The main stages of most bird species' reproductive cycles is territory establishment, nest-building, egg-laying, incubation, hatching of the eggs, and the development and care of the young. Chirping and mating displays are two prominent activities associated with the establishment of territory and the union of the gender identities. Anyone starting a bird study should carefully observe the reproductive cycle of at least one species, from territory establishment to fledging and young dispersal. The more detailed the information obtained, the better. Students will ideally contribute to species knowledge, but whether they do or do not, they will almost certainly benefit from becoming acquainted with a living wild bird or its behavior, and its livelihood.