Handbook Of Bird Biology

by Podulka, Sandy; Rohrbaugh, Ronald W., Jr.; Bonney, Rick

Edition: 2nd

ISBN13: 9780938027621

ISBN10: 093802762X

Format: Hardcover

Pub. Date: 2004-11-01

Publisher(s): Princeton Univ Pr

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Summary

Call it Bird University. This gloriously illustrated volume provides comprehensive college-level information about birds and their environments in a style accessible to nonscientists and teachers the world over. TheHandbook of Bird Biologycovers all major topics, from anatomy and physiology to ecology, behavior, and conservation biology. One full chapter addresses vocal communication and is accompanied by a CD of bird vocalizations. Produced by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's world-renowned Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds, the CD illustrates key elements of bioacoustics. The book's text was written by 12 leading ornithologists and illustrated by respected photographers and acclaimed artist John Schmitt. It includes an extensive glossary and index, a list of the common and scientific names of all birds mentioned in the text, author profiles, suggested readings following each chapter, and a complete reference section. TheHandbookserves as the backbone of the Lab's popular Home Study Course in Bird Biology, a self-paced course that can be taken from anywhere in the world, by anyone with a serious interest in birds who would like guidance from professional ornithologists. Comprehensive and readable guide covering all major topics Free CD of bird vocalizations enclosed Extensive glossary and index List of all common and scientific names Suggested readings Complete reference section Companion to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's popular Home Study Course in Bird Biology

Birds and Humans: A Historical Perspective

Birds as Food

(1)

Use of Skins and Feathers

(2)

Birds in Literature, Culture, and Religion

(13)

Art

(3)

Religion

(1)

Folklore

(1)

Literature

(2)

Music and Dance

(1)

Music and Dance of Indigenous Cultures

(5)

Music and Dance of Western Cultures

(1)

The Evolution of North American Ornithology

(23)

The Early Years: From Aristotle to the 17th Century

(4)

The 18th Century

(2)

The 19th Century

(7)

The American Ornithologists' Union and the U. S. Biological Survey

(1)

The First Audubon Movement

(1)

The Second Audubon Movement

(1)

The 20th Century and the Expanding Role of the Bird Watcher

(1)

The Development of the Field Guide

(1)

Academic Training in Ornithology

(2)

Bird Conservation, Bird Watching, and the Age of Technology

(3)

Suggested Readings

Introduction: The World of Birds

Ornithological Terms

(1)

The Form of a Bird

(12)

Bill

(1)

Head and Neck

(2)

Trunk

(1)

Wings

(3)

Tail

(1)

Hind Limbs

(3)

Diversity in Bird Form

(9)

The Bill

(2)

The Wings

(1)

The Tail

(1)

The Feet

(3)

Feathering

(1)

Internal Anatomy

(1)

Diversity in Bird Movement

(8)

Movement on Land

(4)

Movement in Water

(4)

Naming and Classification of Birds

(34)

History

(8)

Methods Used to Classify Birds

(5)

Binomial Nomenclature and Classification System

(8)

The Species

(2)

The Formation of Species

(6)

Orders and Families of World Birds

(3)

Orders and Families of North American Birds

(1)

How Naming and Classification Can Help You

(1)

The Use of Common Names

(2)

Evolution of Birds and Avian Flight

(1)

Bird Distribution

(40)

Distribution of Land Birds

(1)

Palearctic Region

(2)

Nearctic Region

(1)

Neotropical Region

(9)

Afrotropical Region

(7)

Oriental Region

(3)

Australasian Region

(6)

Island Distribution

(1)

Distribution of Marine Birds

(1)

Northern Marine Region

(1)

Southern Marine Region

100

(1)

Tropical Marine Region

101

(1)

Plankton and Bird Distribution

101

(5)

The Importance of Biodiversity

106

(1)

Appendix A: Orders and Families of World Birds

107

(4)

Appendix B: Orders and Families of North American Birds

111

(2)

Appendix C: Geological Time Scale

113

Which Way is Up?

(30)

The Evolution of an Idea: Darwin's Theory

(14)

Latin and Greek Roots of Biological Terms

A Guide to Bird Watching

How to Identify Birds

(19)

Shape

(1)

Postures and Flight Patterns

(2)

Behaviors

(1)

Size

(2)

Comparing Body Features

(1)

Field Marks

(1)

Head

(1)

Bill Shape and Color

(1)

Wings

(1)

Tail

(1)

Legs

(1)

Colors and Plumage Patterns

(1)

Songs

(4)

Habitat

(1)

Range and Abundance

(1)

Time of Year

(4)

Sorting Out Birds

(1)

Closing the Distance

(6)

Sitting Quietly

(3)

Pishing and Squeaking

(1)

Mobbing

(2)

Playback Songs

(1)

Bird Blinds

(1)

Viewing Birds

(5)

Using Binoculars

(3)

Pointing Out Birds to Others

(2)

Selecting Binoculars

(7)

Magnification Power

(1)

Light-gathering Capacity

(2)

Field of View

(1)

Resolution

(1)

Alignment

(1)

Binocular Designs

(1)

Mini Binoculars

(1)

Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers

(1)

How to Shop for Binoculars

(1)

How to Clean Binoculars

(1)

Protecting Binoculars

(1)

Selecting a Spotting Scope and Tripod

(2)

How to Shop for a Spotting Scope

(1)

Recording Observations

(11)

Checklists

(1)

Journals

(7)

Reporting Rare Birds

(1)

Listing Birds

(1)

Counting Birds

(2)

Conclusion

(1)

The Birder's Essential Resources

Attracting Birds to Your Yard

(6)

How to Calibrate Binoculars For Your Eyes

(20)

Sketching Birds in the Field

Form and Function: The External Bird

Feather Tracts

(1)

Feather Form and Function

(15)

Feather Structure

(1)

Types of Feathers

(1)

Contour Feathers

(11)

Down Feathers

(1)

Semiplumes

(1)

Filoplumes

(1)

Powder Downs

(1)

Care of Feathers

(8)

Preening

(2)

Oiling

(1)

Head-Scratching

(1)

Bathing

(1)

Sunning

(1)

Anting

(1)

Ectoparasites

(3)

Development of Feathers

(2)

Molts and Plumages

(11)

Annual Molt and Wear Cycles

(1)

Subadult and Definitive Plumages

(3)

Plumage Naming Systems

(1)

The Progression of a Molt

(5)

Nonfeathered Areas

(9)

Eyes

(1)

Bill

(4)

Legs and Feet

(3)

Other Unfeathered Areas

(2)

Colors

(12)

Pigments

(2)

Abnormalities and Variations in Pigment Colors

(2)

Structural Colors

(6)

Functions of Color and Color Patterns

Cryptic Coloration and Patterns

(1)

Blending In

(1)

Disruptive Coloration

(1)

Countershading

(1)

Behaviors that Aid Concealment

(1)

Conspicuous Markings and Predation

(1)

Reduction of Glare for Foraging

(1)

The Role of Color and Pattern in Social Behavior

(1)

Species Recognition

(1)

Age Recognition

(1)

Sex Recognition

(1)

Individual Recognition

(1)

Flock Attraction

(1)

Sexual Selection

Feather Detective

(5)

Feather Facts

(45)

Iridescence

What's Inside: Anatomy and Physiology

The Skeletal System

(23)

Axial Skeleton

(1)

Skull

(3)

Hyoid Apparatus

(1)

Vertebral Column

(4)

Appendicular Skeleton

(1)

Pectoral Girdle

(2)

Bones of the Wing

(2)

Sternum

(1)

Pelvic Girdle

(1)

Bones of the Hind Limb

(2)

The Muscular System

(5)

Skeletal Muscle

(2)

Smooth Muscle

(3)

Cardiac Muscle

(1)

The Nervous System

(14)

The Neuron

(1)

Sensory and Motor Neurons

(2)

Central Nervous System

(1)

Brain

(2)

Spinal Cord

(2)

Peripheral Nervous System

(1)

Cranial Nerves

(2)

Spinal Nerves

(1)

Autonomic Nervous System

(2)

The Senses

(24)

Vision

(1)

The Structure of the Eye

(4)

How Birds See

(4)

The Ear and Hearing

(2)

Structure and Function of the Ear

(5)

Hearing Ability

(1)

Olfaction

(3)

Taste

(4)

Skin Senses

(1)

The Endocrine System

(7)

Pituitary Gland

(2)

Thyroid Glands

(1)

Parathyroid and Ultimobranchial Glands

(1)

Adrenal Glands

(1)

Gonads

(1)

Pancreas

(1)

The Circulatory System

(13)

The Heart

(1)

Heart Valves

(1)

Blood Supply to the Heart Tissue

(1)

Conducting System of the Heart

(1)

Location of the Heart

(1)

Blood Vessels

(1)

Capillaries

(1)

Arterial System

(2)

Venous System

(2)

Blood

(2)

Lymphatic System

(1)

The Respiratory System

(14)

Nostrils and Nasal Cavities

(1)

Pharynx

(1)

Larynx

(1)

Trachea

(1)

Syrinx

(5)

Lungs and Air Tubes

(2)

Air Sacs

100

(1)

Breathing and Gas Exchange

100

(3)

The Digestive System

103

(21)

Oral Cavity

103

(1)

Bill

103

(8)

Tongue

111

(1)

Salivary Glands and Saliva

111

(1)

Pharynx

112

(1)

Alimentary Canal

113

(1)

Esophagus

113

(5)

Stomach

118

(2)

Small Intestine

120

(3)

Colic Ceca

123

(1)

Large Intestine

123

(1)

Cloaca

123

(1)

Liver

124

(1)

The Urogenital System

124

(20)

Urinary System

125

(2)

Genital System

127

(1)

Male Genitals

127

(1)

Female Genitals

128

(5)

Copulation and Fertilization

133

(1)

Sex Determination

133

(4)

Hormones and Secondary Sex Characters

137

(3)

Factors Bringing Birds into Breeding Condition

140

(4)

Metabolism

144

(17)

Body Temperature

146

(2)

Countercurrent Heat-Exchange Systems

148

(4)

Cooling

152

(1)

Torpor

153

(1)

Heart Size and Heart Rate

154

(2)

Respiratory Rate

156

(1)

Water and Salt Regulation

157

(1)

Life Span and Senescence

158

(3)

Major Anatomical Differences between Birds and Mammals

161

(2)

Skeleton

161

(1)

Muscles

161

(1)

Nervous System

161

(1)

Ear

162

(1)

Eye

162

(1)

Circulatory System

162

(1)

Respiratory System

162

(1)

Digestive System

163

(1)

Urogenital System

163

(1)

Suggested Readings

163

The Amazing World of Avian ESP

(28)

Bird Song: From Oboe and Trombone to Orator and Soprano

Birds on the Move: Flight and Migration

The Flight Syndrome

(5)

Functions of the Flight Muscles

(1)

How Do Birds Fly?

(43)

Forces Acting on a Bird in Flight

(1)

Gravity

(1)

Lift

(6)

Drag

(1)

Thrust

(5)

Function of the Tail

(1)

Landing

(5)

Hovering

(4)

Complex Control of Flight

(1)

Wing Loading

(2)

Turbulence

(3)

Variations in Wing Shape and Flight Style

(1)

Elliptical Wings

(1)

High-speed Wings

(1)

Slotted High-lift Wings

(3)

High-Aspect-Ratio Wings

(3)

Some Flight Facts and Figures

(1)

Air Speed

(1)

Wingbeat Frequency

(1)

Flocking and Flying in Formation

(3)

Loss of Flight

(3)

Migration

(28)

Patterns of Migration

(5)

The Origin and Evolution of Migration

(4)

Controlling and Synchronizing the Annual Cycle

(2)

The Physiology of Migration

(2)

Daily Timing of Migration

(1)

The Altitude of Migration

(2)

Flight Speed and the Progress of Migration

(1)

Weather and Migration

(4)

Migration Routes

(2)

Site Fidelity

(4)

Orientation and Navigation

(20)

Compass Mechanisms

(1)

Sun Compass

(2)

Star Compass

(3)

Magnetic Compass

(3)

Navigational Maps

(1)

Sunset Cues

(7)

Suggested Readings

Flapping Flight

(54)

Showdown at Delaware Bay

(18)

Polarized Light

Evolution of Birds and Avian Flight

Archaeopteryx and Other Urvogels

(5)

The Descent of Birds

(6)

Flight Origins

(7)

Ground-Up (Cursorial) Theory

(4)

Trees-Down (Arboreal) Theory

(1)

Early Bird Flight

(1)

The Early Fossil Record of Birds

(5)

Palaeognathous Birds

(4)

Bird Evolution's Big Bang

(2)

Appendix A: Bird Evolution Theories and Early Diapsid Reptiles

(2)

Appendix B: Hypothesized Relationships Among Ancient and Modern Bird Groups

(2)

Appendix C: Index to Fossil Organisms

(3)

Figure Credits for Appendix C

Understanding Bird Behavior

Questions About Behavior

(2)

The Proximate Basis of Bird Behavior

(11)

Ethology, Ornithology, and Instincts

(1)

Learned Behavior

(6)

A Comparison of Instincts and Learning

(1)

Ultimate Causes of Bird Behavior

(27)

Territoriality, Dominance Hierarchies, and Ritualized Aggression

(8)

The Evolution of Ritualized Displays

(4)

Courtship Displays

(8)

The Use of Darwinian Evolutionary Theory

(49)

Feeding Behavior: Why Do Birds Generally Restrict Their Diets, Ignoring Some Edible Foods in Favor of Others?

(7)

Antipredator Behavior: Why Do Some Birds Mob Predators?

(8)

Nest Spacing: Why Do Some Birds Nest in Large Colonies?

(10)

Reproductive Behavior: Why Are There Different Kinds of Avian Mating Systems?

(5)

Reproductive Behavior: Resource-defense and Female-defense Polygyny

(2)

Reproductive Behavior: Lek Polygyny

(2)

Reproductive Behavior: Polyandry

(2)

Mate Choice: Extrapair Copulations in Birds

(2)

Mate Choice: Why Do Some Birds Display Elaborate Ornaments?

(4)

Mate Choice: Why Cooperate in Courtship Displays?

(2)

Parental Behavior: Why Do Some Birds Ignore Lethal Aggression Among Their Nestlings?

(1)

Parental Behavior: Why Are There ``Helpers at the Nest'' That Care For Someone Else's Offspring?

(3)

How to Study Bird Behavior Yourself

(7)

Suggested Readings

Bird Brains

(3)

Play

(33)

Defense Behavior

(8)

Living in Groups

(12)

Length of the Pair Bond

(20)

Bird Families as Models for Understanding Ourselves

Vocal Behavior

What is Sound?

(7)

Seeing Sounds: Sonagrams and Oscillograms

(2)

Use of Tape or CD with Chapter Text

(3)

Understanding Complex Songs

(1)

Vocal Repertoires

(13)

The Problem of Meaning

(3)

Song

(5)

The Structure and Function of Sounds

(4)

Vocal Development

(14)

Vocal Development in Songbirds

(5)

Vocal Development in Nonsongbirds

(4)

Songbird Diversity

(3)

Control of Song

(4)

Variation in Space and Time

(25)

Species Differences

(1)

Individual Variation

(11)

Song Dialects

(4)

Geographic Variation in Suboscine Vocalizations

(1)

The Diversity of Geographic Patterns in Songbirds

(5)

Song Change Over Time

(1)

Dialects Over Broad Regions

(2)

The Functions of Song

(25)

Dawn Chorus

(3)

Duetting

(3)

Mimicry

(3)

Flight Songs

(1)

Song Repertoires

(6)

Suggested Readings

(2)

Appendix A: Descriptions of Tape / CD Tracks

Winnows, Snaps, and Spring Thunder---Nonvocal Sounds

(29)

Listen Up!

(4)

Pushing the Limits: New Computer Techniques for Studying Bird Song

(19)

Do Birds Think?

(5)

``Call Notes'' and Their Functions

(16)

Listening on Your Own

Nests, Eggs, and Young: Breeding Biology of Birds

Survival

(7)

The Timing of Breeding

(3)

Breeding Territories

(2)

Functions of Breeding Territories

(1)

Nests and Nest Building

(44)

Functions of Nests

(2)

Diversity of Nest Sites

(2)

Seasonal Changes in Nest Sites

(1)

Nest Site Selection

(1)

Diversity of Nests

(20)

The Evolution of Nest Construction

(3)

Nest Lining

(3)

Nest-building Behavior

(6)

Sex Roles in Nest Building

(1)

Duration of Nest Building

(1)

Nest Appropriation and Reuse

(2)

Eggs

(34)

Egg Structure

(11)

Egg Size

(2)

Egg Shape

(2)

Egg Surface Texture

(1)

Egg Color

(2)

Egg Laying

(1)

Clutch Size

(1)

Patterns in Clutch Size Variation

(1)

The Evolution of Clutch Size

(11)

Egg and Clutch Replacement

(1)

Number of Broods per Season

(2)

Incubation

(11)

Incubation Patch

(2)

Incubation Period

(1)

Start of Incubation

(2)

Role of the Sexes

(1)

Patterns of Attentiveness

(2)

Behavior During Incubation

101

(2)

Changes in Incubation Behavior

103

(1)

Feeding the Mate

103

(1)

Development of Young

104

(26)

Hatching

104

(2)

Development at Hatching

106

(1)

Typical Altricial Young

107

(10)

Typical Precocial Young

117

(8)

Recognition Between Parents and Young

125

(5)

Caring for Young

130

(9)

Feeding the Young

131

(3)

Defending the Young

134

(2)

Nest Sanitation

136

(3)

Brood Parasites

139

(13)

Evolution and Adaptation Among Obligate Brood Parasites

143

(1)

Brood Parasite Ploys

143

(3)

Host Counterploys and Coevolution

146

(2)

Evolution and Adaptation in New World Cowbirds

148

(4)

Conclusion

152

(1)

Suggested Readings

152

Neat Nesting Facts

(24)

Social Weavers

(40)

Oology: From Hobby to Science

(46)

Creches

126

Individuals, Populations, and Communities: The Ecology of Birds

Birds as Individuals

(41)

Habitat Selection: Choosing a Place to Live

(5)

Thermoregulation: Coping with Heat and Cold

(5)

Water: A Matter of Economy

(5)

Foraging Ecology: Meeting Energy and Nutritional Demands

(1)

How Much Food Does a Bird Need?

(2)

What Types of Food are Eaten?

(3)

Where and How to Forage

(3)

Do Birds Always Forage Optimally?

(1)

Coping with Environmental Fluctuations

(7)

Relationships with Other Individuals

(1)

Types of Intraspecific Competition

(4)

Life History Strategies: Putting it All Together

(5)

Birds in Populations

(34)

Characteristics of Bird Populations

(1)

Geographic Distribution Patterns

(9)

Population Size

(2)

How Do We Determine Population Size?

(2)

What Affects Population Size?

(5)

What Regulates Population Size?

(8)

Extinction: The Death of the Last Individual in a Population

(5)

Structure of Bird Populations

(2)

Bird Communities

(27)

Characteristics of Bird Communities

(3)

Patterns of Species Richness

(1)

Effects of Latitude

(7)

Effects of Habitat Complexity and Productivity

(3)

Effects of Habitat Size

(2)

Habitat Patches as ``Islands''

(4)

Patterns of Relative Abundance

101

(1)

Ecological Niches

102

(2)

Are Bird Communities Organized in Optimal Ways?

104

(5)

Birds as Components of Ecosystems

109

Ecological Distribution of Birds in the Major Terrestrial Ecosystems of North America

109

(5)

Tundra

114

(2)

Coniferous Forest

116

(1)

Deciduous Forest

117

(1)

Grassland

118

(2)

Southwestern Oak Woodland

120

(1)

Chaparral

120

(1)

Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

121

(1)

Sagebrush

121

(1)

Scrub Desert

122

(1)

Two Important Ecotones

122

(1)

The Role of Birds in the Food Chain

123

(3)

What if Birds Disappeared?

126

The Winter Banquet

(39)

The House Finch Hot Zone

(17)

Ant Followers

(22)

From Blackberries to Beeches: Ecological Succession in Eastern Deciduous Forests

110

(18)

Sapsuckers, Swallows, Willows, Aspen, and Rot

128

Bird Conservation

Historical Context

(34)

Global Spread of Humans Begins the Extinction Era

(1)

Early Extinctions in North America and the Caribbean

(3)

Modern Extinctions on Mainland North America

(1)

Labrador Duck---the Mystery Extinction

(1)

Passenger Pigeon---Market Hunting at its Worst

(1)

Carolina Parakeet---Removal of a Menace

(1)

Eskimo Curlew---Three Strikes in the Wink of an Eye

(4)

Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Bachman's Warbler---Demise of the Southeastern Forests

(2)

Brief History of Bird Conservation in the United States

(7)

Are North American Birds Disappearing?

(4)

The Forested Northeast

(1)

Grasslands

(6)

Southwestern Riparian Habitats

(1)

Shorebirds

(1)

Conservation Problems: The Ecology of Extinction

(38)

Birth Rates and Death Rates

(1)

Population Increases

(8)

Direct Exploitation

(1)

Introduced Predators

(2)

Chemical Toxins

(5)

Indirect Chemical Pollution

(2)

Introduced Disease

(1)

Habitat Loss

(2)

Habitat Specialization and the ``Six Forms of Rarity''

(1)

Widely distributed, small local populations, broad habitat tolerance

(1)

Widely distributed, large local populations, narrowly specialized habitat requirements

(1)

Widely distributed, small local populations, narrowly specialized habitat requirements

(1)

Small geographic range, large local populations, broad habitat tolerance

(1)

Small geographic range, large local populations, narrowly specialized habitat requirements

(1)

Small geographic range, small local populations, narrowly specialized habitat requirements

(1)

Unique Problems on Islands

(4)

Habitat Fragmentation: Mainland Habitats as Islands

(3)

Conservation Genetics

(2)

Conservation Solutions: Tools and Prescriptions for Stabilizing Populations

(28)

DNA Fingerprinting and Genetic Augmentation

(1)

Population Viability Analysis and Metapopulations

(1)

Preserve Design

(3)

Habitat Management

(2)

Ecosystem Management

(1)

Adaptive Management

(5)

Translocation

(1)

Legal Protection

(1)

Endangered Species Act

(2)

Clean Water Act, Section 404

(1)

Cites

(1)

Bringing Birds Back from the Brink

(1)

Wood Duck---Regulated Hunting and Adaptive Management

(2)

Whooping Crane---Protected Habitat and Captive Rearing

(3)

Peregrine Falcon---Pesticide Regulation and ``Soft Release'' Reintroduction

100

(2)

California Condor---Wild Capture, Captive-rearing, and Study of ``Surrogates''

102

(1)

Maui Parrotbill and Akohekohe---Protected Habitat and Feral Mammal Control

103

(1)

Why Protect Birds?

104

(6)

Direct Benefits

105

(1)

Food

105

(1)

Clothing

105

(1)

Other Utilitarian Uses

105

(1)

Recreational Hunting

105

(1)

Bird Watching

106

(1)

Indirect Benefits

106

(1)

Ecological and Evolutionary Roles

106

(1)

Environmental Services

107

(1)

Biological Indicators

108

(1)

Genetic Information

109

(1)

Scientific Study

109

(1)

Aesthetics and Spiritual Values

110

(1)

What Can Each of Us Do?

110

Backyard Conservation

110

(2)

Be a Citizen Scientist

112

(1)

Adopt a Place

112

(1)

Local Vigilance and Grassroots Activism

113

(1)

Environmental Education

114

(1)

Take a Child Birding

114

(1)

Contribute to Conservation Organizations

115

(1)

Never Give Up

116

A Summer Without Bobolinks

(13)

The Best Laid Plans: What Happens When Conservation Efforts Work Too Well?

(10)

Hawk Deaths Spur Action

(32)

Conservation Planning at Ecoregional Scales

Species Table

(16)

Glossary

(44)

About the Authors

(4)

References

(16)

Index

Handbook Of Bird Biology

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