Introduction to Ornithology - KB & AS

What is the diet category for vampire finches?

Blood

What is the diet category for garden finches?

Insects

What is the diet category for waders?

Molluscs

What is the diet category for antbirds?

Ants

What is the diet category for snake eagles?

Snakes

What is the diet category for gulls?

Fish

What is the diet category for falcons?

Birds

What is the diet category for blackbirds?

Worms

What is the diet category for lammergeiers?

Bones (Osteophagy)

What is the diet category for hoatzin?

Herbivores

What do hummingbirds primarily eat?

Flowers

What do toucans and Canada jays primarily eat?

Fruits

What do goldfinches primarily eat?

Seeds/Grains

What do sunbirds primarily eat?

Nectar

What is opportunistic feeding related to?

Pollen

What do parrots primarily eat?

Minerals

What do Canada jays eat besides fruits?

Fungi

What is a type one functional response in feeding?

Linear response that plateaus, rare in birds like flamingos and teal.

What characterizes a type two functional response?

Curves due to handling time, exemplified by oystercatchers.

What is a type three functional response?

S-curve due to learning or prey detection, seen in hen harriers.

What is Optimal Feeding Theory?

Birds aim to maximize food intake while minimizing costs.

What factors do birds consider in Optimal Feeding Theory?

Energy gained vs time/effort, prey availability, predation risk, handling time, competition, disturbance, and environmental knowledge.

What are some reasons for suboptimal behavior in birds?

Inexperience, limited knowledge, and risk avoidance.

What foraging technique involves long distance search?

Swifts

What foraging technique do raptors use?

Sit and wait

Which bird uses baiting as a foraging strategy?

Green heron

What foraging technique involves tool use?

Corvids

Which bird is known for its night vision?

Owls

What foraging technique do woodpeckers use to locate larvae?

Hearing

Which type of bird has sensitive beaks for touch?

Waders

What foraging technique do gulls use to find worms?

Flushing

What foraging technique involves slow movement?

Stalking (herons)

Which bird is known for caching or storing food?

Shrikes

What is a benefit of group feeding related to finding prey?

Find prey faster

What is a benefit of group feeding related to large prey?

Bring down large prey

How does shared vigilance in group feeding affect predation risk?

Reduces predation risk

What is a cost of group feeding related to competition?

More competition

What is a cost of group feeding related to resources?

Resources must be shared

What is a cost of group feeding related to predator detection?

Higher detection by predators

Which bird is known for group feeding by rounding fish together?

Pelicans

What are generalists in ecology?

Generalists are able to use a wide array of habitats and resources and are adaptable to changes.

Can you give an example of a generalist?

Blue opening milk bottles.

What are specialists in ecology?

Specialists are organisms that require specific environmental conditions or resources.

Can you give an example of a specialist?

Hummingbirds that feed on specific flowers.

What is the main focus of the modeling and applications discussed?

Predicting Bird Behaviour

Why is predicting bird behaviour important?

To anticipate responses to environmental changes.

What method is used to simulate bird behaviour in the models?

Individual Based Models (IBMs)

What do Individual Based Models (IBMs) simulate?

Birds as agents making their own decisions based on traits, environment, and prey.

What factors are modeled using IBMs in relation to foraging?

Prey density and availability, feeding efficiency, interference competition, species-specific foraging rates.

What is a key behaviour of birds in cold climates for survival?

Caching food.

What types of locations do birds use for caching food?

Moss and trees.

What cognitive ability do birds rely on for caching food?

Strong spatial memory.

In which family groups does caching occur?

Both kin and non-kin family groups.

How does caching help birds?

It helps maintain body condition and fitness.

What is a community

definition - a group (assembly) of all bird species living in a specific area

- communities vary depending on the scale considered
- scale is key in determining species richness (how many species are present).

What is alpha diversity in bird communities?

Diversity within a specific area/habitat.

What is beta diversity in bird communities?

Differences in species between habitats.

What is gamma diversity in bird communities?

Overall density across large regions.

What is one method for monitoring bird communities?

Mist netting.

What is another method for monitoring bird communities?

Acoustic recording.

What is a citizen science method for tracking birds?

Bird tracking apps.

What is a key characteristic of the Galápagos Islands?

High levels of endemism (species found nowhere else)

What type of habitat is created by the volcanic origins of the Galápagos Islands?

Habitat mosaic

What are the Galápagos Islands famous for in relation to Charles Darwin?

Darwin's finches

What are Galapagos finches actually classified as?

Tanagers

How many species of Galapagos finches are there?

Approximately 18 species

What do Galapagos finches mainly differ in?

Bill and body size

How do Galapagos finch species vary?

They vary island to island based on habitat

What is the latitudinal gradient in biodiversity?

Diversity tends to increase toward the equator.

What type of terrain characterizes the arid zone of Santa Cruz Island?

Rocky, cactus-covered terrain

What type of vegetation is found in the transition zone of Santa Cruz Island?

Mixed vegetation that supports animals like tortoises

What is unique about the scalesia zone on Santa Cruz Island?

It has tall daisy-like plants unique to the island

What type of landscape is found in the pampa zone of Santa Cruz Island?

Fériale, grassy highlands

What is a consequence of having few ecological niches on Santa Cruz Island?

It makes population diversification harder

How does island age affect avian community diversity?

Older islands have more evolved avian communities.

What role do ocean currents play in avian communities on islands?

Ocean currents shape island climates and nutrient flow.

How do ocean currents influence avian communities?

They influence habitat types, which in turn affects community makeup.

How do habitats affect resource availability?

Habitats determine resource availability.

What influences species interactions in a habitat?

Species interactions are influenced by how resources are shared.

What can limit species coexistence?

Competition can limit species coexistence.

How do community structures change?

Community structures shift across time and space.

What are biotic drivers in ecosystems?

Non-bird species also drive/impact communities, e.g., plants.

How do birds interact with each other?

Birds interact through cooperation, competition, and predation.

What is the impact of a lack of predators on communities?

A lack of predators shapes behavior and community makeup.

How does species richness vary?

Species richness varies with geography.

Which elevation habitats often support the most species?

Mid elevation habitats often support the most species.

What are some factors that cause changes in species richness?

Extinctions, habitat changes, invasive species, and climate change.

What is the latitudinal gradient in biodiversity?

Diversity tends to increase toward the equator.

Is the latitudinal gradient universal?

No, some bird groups thrive at high latitudes.

What are the abiotic reasons for higher species richness in the tropics?

Stable climate.

What is another abiotic reason for higher species richness in the tropics?

High productivity.

What are the evolutionary reasons for higher species richness in the tropics?

Higher speciation rates.

What are the ecological reasons for higher species richness in the tropics?

More microhabitats.

What is another ecological reason for higher species richness in the tropics?

More niches for coexistence.

What is a community?

A group (assembly) of all bird species living in a specific area.

How do communities vary?

Communities vary depending on the scale considered.

Why is scale important in ecology?

Scale is key in determining species richness (how many species are present).