BIO430 Avian Biology (8)

Abstract

Avian biology is a specialised area of ornithology that focuses on the internal and external anatomy and physiology of birds. This subject concentrates on those aspects of avian biology that provide an understanding bird evolution, behaviour, ecology and conservation. Special attention is paid to adaptations for flight, foraging, breeding and communication. This includes the function of feathers in flight and thermoregulation, bone and muscle adaptations for flight, and respiratory, circulatory and excretory functions. Students also study bird social systems and parental care, and visual and vocal communication. The subject has no residential school. On completion of this subject, students will be able to understand the fundamentals of bird biology and be able to apply this to further study of bird ecology and conservation.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Distance	Albury-Wodonga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO430
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Environmental Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

have a broad and coherent understanding of bird physiology
have advanced knowledge of the external and internal anatomy of birds, the specialised features and mechanisms for flight; and the relationship between beak morphology and foraging strategies
have advanced knowledge about the variety of bird social organisation systems, including their mating and breeding systems
have an in-depth understanding the functions of sight, movement, hearing and vocalisation in communication, survival and reproduction
have the ability to review, relate and synthesise their knowledge of bird biology to bird ecology and conservation

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
1. External anatomy: structure of skin, feathers, beak and scales;
2. Function of feathers in flight and thermoregulation;
3. Bone structure and shape and skeletal adaptations for flight;
4. Wing and leg muscle adaptations for flight;
5. Flight physiology: respiratory, circulatory and excretory adaptations for flight;
6. Foods, beak shapes and foraging methods;
7. Digestion and energetics;
8. Sex, copulation, egg production and incubation;
9. Embryonic development, egg physiology and post-hatching development;
10. Parental care;
11. Types of mating systems;
12. Functions of the brain and sense organs in sight and hearing;
13. Functions of plumage colour and displays in visual communication; and
14. Roles of song learning vs. innate song production in vocal communication.

Back