Course CodeBEN102Fee CodeS1Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Birds can bring a whole new dimension to a garden. Learn to understand and manage birds in the garden Learn to identify and understand the habits of different birds, from water birds and parrots, to town birds and birds of prey. Understand the way birds behave, their biology, and more. Through this course you will learn to identify different types of birds, and to understand the physical and behavioural characteristics that differentiates one from the next. Lesson Structure There are 9 lessons in this course: Classification and Introduction to Bird watching. Nature and scope of ornithology (over 9,000 species) Place of Birds in Nature Bird Classification (Aves, Ratitae, Carinate) Use of common names and scientific names Fossil or Extinct Birds Classes and Sub Classes Comparing characteristics of different Super orders Comparing characteristics of all major bird Families Resources for further information Bird Watching equipment The Biology of Birds. Anatomical features Skeleton Feathers Feather Colour Wings Wing Types (elliptical, high speed, long soaring, high lift) Legs and Feet Beaks and Bills Internal Structure Respiration Excretion Digestion Circulation Senses Avian Behaviours (Flight, Diving, Reproduction, Courtship, Bonding, Territoriality, Nesting) Formation of Eggs and Hatching Feeding Vocalisations Migration Habitats Common and Widespread Land Birds. Eagles and Relatives; Carthatidae (New World vultures, condors) Pandionidae (osprey) Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites) Sagittariidae (secretary bird) Falconidae (falcons, caracaras) Crows and their Relatives Butcher birds, Currawongs and related birds Pigeons (structure, feeding, breeding, types) Doves The Dodo Cuckoos Pest and Introduced Birds (for man countries); Indian Mynah, Sparrow, Thrush, Starling, etc Giant Birds and Long Legged Birds Ratitites; Ostrich, Emu, Moa, Rhea, Cassowary, Kiwi, South American Tinamous, extinct giant Elephant bird and Dodo Herons, Storks and relatives Seabirds and Water birds. Anseriformes; ducks, geese, swans etc Gruiformes; cranes, coots, mud hens, rails Charadriiformes; sandpipers, snipes, curlews, plovers, dotterels, etc Gaviiformes; divers Gulls, Skuas, Auks, Puffins, Terns Tube Nosed Birds Albatrosses Petrels, Storm Petrels and Diving Petrels Pelicans and Relatives Gannets Cormorants Boobies, Frigate Birds, Tropic Birds Penguins Hunters -Birds of Prey, Owls, and Kingfishers. Eagles Eagle species Hawks Kites Osprey Falcons Vultures Owls Breeding behaviours of birds of prey Kingfishers Passeriformes. Scope of "songbirds" or "perching birds". Features common to Passeriformes Varieties of Passeriformes (Primitive and Advanced) Muscicapidae; thrush Robins Flycatchers, Larks, Pippits, Wingtails Swallows and Martins; physical characteristics, breeding and nesting Fringilllidae; finches Other Birds. Parrots; structure, feeding, breeding, species Honeyeaters, Swifts Galliformes; chicken. Other Orders Attracting, Feeding and Keeping Birds. How plants benefit birds Plants that attract birds Feeding Birds Bird Care; parasites, catching and handling, caring for a sick bird Common Ailments Aims Discuss the study of birds, including bird taxonomy. Describe anatomical and physical characteristics of birds. Discuss a range of different common and widespread land birds. Discuss a range of different flightless and long legged birds including Ratites and Ciconiiformes. Discuss and describe a range of water birds and sea birds. Discuss and describe a range of hunting birds. Discuss and describe a range of Passeriformes. Discuss and describe a range of parrots and other birds. Explain domestication of birds and the methodology and implications of attracting and feeding wild birds. WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? This course is a great opportunity if you are really serious about birds. It can benefit all sorts of people: Environmental consultants Wildlife Surveyors Wildlife Rescuers Wildlife Conservationists Animal scientists Ecotour Operators Zoo keepers Pet Industry Personnel