Birds: Inside and Out

Birds are charismatic and conspicuous animals. They also serve as excellent models for understanding many biological concepts, including: evolution, physiology, behavior, and ecology. In this program we will study avian biology at the organism level (inside: physiological systems and adaptations of birds) as well as birds as components of ecosystems (outside: population and community ecology and avian social systems). Through lab and field work, students will gain a holistic understanding of avian biology and in the process will learn about birds commonly found in the Puget Sound area in springtime.