Debark University
College of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management
Program Wildlife and Ecotourism Management
Degree program B.Sc. in WEtM
Course Title Ornithology
Course code WEtM 3052
Course delivery system Parallel
Year and semester Year III: semester I
Prerequisite None
Status of the Course Compulsory
ECTS 5 (3 credit hours)
Enrolment Regular
Instructors name Belgie Abebaw (MSc) E – mail contact: belgieabebaw09@gmail.com
Physical contact Block –floor- Ground –Room 2
Contact hours Lecture Practices Home study Total
32 32 17 81
Course descriptions
The course is a one-semester course for Wildlife and Eco-tourism Management students. The
classroom lectures and the field practical will impact on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of
students. The content of the course emphasize on studying the external structure, systematic,
evolution, identification and life history of birds. The importance of birds in keeping the balance
of nature and as effective environmental indicators will be covered under this course. Bird
survey techniques, song learning behavior in birds, reproductive biology (Nesting strategies mate
choice, nest defense, reproduction and life history), threats and conservation of avian species will
also be discussed.
Practical content description: Student will be exposed for outdoor practical work especially in
bird identification in the field. Before that students will learn by heart and practically the bird
topography using illustrations, pictures and bird guide books. Students will obtain the basic
guiding skills, and how to conduct research using the different field methods. In addition,
students will have basic skills of how to use birdwatch equipment’s like binoculars‟, telescope,
field guide books and other instruments Course objectives: At the end of the course, students
should be able to have knowledge, skills and attitudes during lecture and practical works.
Knowledge:
Student will learn bird anatomy, including feather types and structures, bill types, leg/foot
types, skeletal anatomy, and plumage patterns.
Student will learn the key aspects of avian ecology, including behavioral ecology,
reproductive biology, and foraging strategies.
Students will know the theories regarding the evolutionary position of the birds as vertebrates
as well as the phylogeny of the orders of birds.
Students will obtain the basic knowledge regarding bird migration, nest eggs, behaviours and
conservation aspects.
Students will have the knowledge about field methods in ornithology
Skills
Student will have skills in bird identification based on the bird anatomy, including feather
types and structures, bill types, leg/foot types, skeletal anatomy, and plumage patterns in the
field/lab using guide books, and videos etc.
Students will obtain competency in the identification of birds in the field. 128
Students will be able to identify birds present in illustrations, photographs and videos.
Students will obtain the basic guiding skills, and how to conduct research using line and point
transect methods
Students will have basic skills how to handle and use birdwatch equipment‟s like binoculars‟,
telescope, field guide books and other instruments
Attitudes
Students will have attitudinal change how birds are important in maintaining the ecological
function of the environment and entities of the biome if we conserve them and their habitats as
well.
Students will have attitudinal change how bird guiding generate income and could promote as
bird guide as a carrier
Students will learn the multiplier effect of bird watching activities
COURSE CONTENT
Contents Lecture hours
Chapter 1. Introduction to ornithology 2
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Conservation values of birds
1.3.Importance of Birds
Chapter 2. Characteristics of Birds 4
2.1. Feathers
2.2. Raising Baby Birds
2.3. Precocial and Altricial
2.4. Kinds of Birds
Chapter 3. Anatomy and Physiology of 4
birds Anatomy
3.1. External and Skeletal Anatomy of Birds
3.2. Topography of a bird. Physiology
3.3. Reproductive systems/organs
3.4. The avian digestive tract
3.5. Circulatory system of birds
3.6. Bird's Brain and Nervous System
Chapter 4. Systematics and evolution of 2
birds
4.1. Evolution/ Origin of birds
4.2. Systematics of birds
4.3. Morphological Systematics
4.4.Taxonomy and classification
Chapter 5. Bird Migration and Navigation 6
5.1. Reason for migration
5.2. The stimuli determining the time of
migration
5.3. Preparation for migration and the flight
itself
5.4. Navigation: Compasses, Mental maps
Chapter 6. Communication, and nest and 6
eggs
6.1. Communication of birds
6.2. Nests and eggs
6.3.Displays
Chapter 7. Field Methods 6
7.1. Census
7.2. Sampling techniques
7.3. Point count and line transect
Chapter 8. Bird Conservation and threats 2
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Species based conservation
8.3. Site based approach
8.4. Globally threatened species
8.4.1 Threats of birds
8.4.2. Modern Threats to Bird Populations
Mode of Delivery
Lectures
Group discussion in the classroom
Field visit
Tutorials
Debates,
Assessment methods
Assessment methods Allotted marks in %
Test1 & Test 2 20
Individual &Group assignment 20
Quiz 1&2 10
Final exam 50
Total 100
Grading: As per the University regulation
Policy
All students are expected to stand by the code of conduct of students of the University
throughout this course.
Switch off Mobile Phones during any activity; chewing gum is forbidden; being late
more than one minute is unacceptable; during lecture hours, noise is forbidden; in case of
inconvenience, inform ahead of time.
All University policy documents are accessible to students via the University‟s website
at: www.mu.edu.et
Attendance: a student is required to attend all lectures, laboratory and practical sessions as well
as field work. For the situations where you fail to attend sessions, because of reasons beyond
your control, see the senate legislation of the University.
Practical- Outdoor laboratories
Field trip, to some important bird areas of Ethiopia,
Film show recorded on the global diversity, abundance and ecology of birds,
Laboratory and taxidermy work (optional)
Identification of the diversity of birds to nearby areas of the university (optional)
Many of the laboratories take place outdoors in the field. These labs will involve walking
around and studying wild birds. For outdoor labs, students are required to bring their
field guide and wear appropriate clothing for hiking/bird watching. Students are strongly
encouraged to bring their own binoculars to all outdoor laboratories. For students who do
not own binoculars, there will be university‐owned binoculars available
Equipment ‘s and materials
Bird guide books (The birds of Lake Tana, Birds of the Horn of Africa etc.)
Binoculars and telescope
Bird net and bird ringing equipment‟s (optional)
Color print and computers (optional)
References
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Findings. 2005: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
Anderson, W.B. and G.A. 1999. Polis, Nutrient fluxes from water to land: seabirds affect
plant nutrient status on Gulf of California islands. Oecologia, 118(3): p. 324-332.
Zacheis, A., R.W. Ruess, and J.W. 2002 .Hupp, Nitrogen dynamics in an Alaskan salt
marsh following spring use by geese. Oecologia,. 130(4): p. 600-608.
Silliman, B.R. and M.D. 2002. Bertness, A trophic cascade regulates salt marsh primary
production. Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, 99(16): p. 10500-10505.
Costanza, R., et al., 2006. The value of New Jersey's ecosystem services and natural
capital.
Bird, J., G. Pettygrove, and J. Eadie, 2000. The impact of waterfowl foraging on the
decomposition of rice straw: mutual benefits for rice growers and waterfowl. Journal of
Applied Ecology, 37(5): p. 728-741.
Greenberg, R., et al., 2000. The impact of avian insectivory on arthropods and leaf
damage in some Guatemalan coffee plantations. Ecology, 81(6): p. 1750-1755.
Johnson, M., J. Kellermann, and A. Stercho, 2010. Pest reduction services by birds in
shade and sun coffee in Jamaica. Animal Conservation, 13(2): p. 140-147.
