NATH7118E, 3.0 CEUs Class night and time: Tuesdays, 6-8 pm in person at Woodend Class meetings: March 18-May 20 Lectures in person at Woodend Field trip dates: Saturday, March 29 (8 am-12 pm) McKee-Beshers WMA/Hughes Hollow; Sunday, April 27 (7 am-12 pm) Little Bennett Regional Park; Saturday, May 17 (7 am-2 pm) Mispillion Harbor, Delaware Instructor: Gemma Radko Members $390, nonmembers $440 This class gives an introduction to North American bird families and general bird biology. Learn all about birds’ unique characteristics through the study of their anatomy, adaptations, breeding behaviors, and much more. Three field trips emphasize field identification, bird song, and other behaviors. If you find yourself captivated by birds, you’re not alone! In this introduction to ornithology, you will learn about North American bird families and general bird biology. As we explore different taxa of birds, you will learn about their unique characteristics through the study of their anatomy, adaptations, breeding behaviors, conservation status, and so much more. On our three field trips, we’ll take what we’ve learned and go out birding. We’ll learn how to identify birds in the field by sight and song, and we’ll observe the springtime behaviors of courtship and nest building, as well as year-long behaviors like foraging for food and evading predators. After the course, you’ll be equipped with the foundations of ornithology. Required books: • What’s it Like to Be a Bird? by David Allen Sibley. Available at Nature Forward bookstore. Recommended books: • A good field guide to North American birds: Sibley, National Geographic, Audubon etc.