Program Overview

Introduction to BIO430 Avian Biology

This subject provides an in-depth overview of the biology of birds, including the structure and function of feathers, skeletal, muscle, and physiological adaptations allowing flight, and the highly efficient respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems supporting endurance. Special attention is paid to how the anatomy and physiology has evolved differently across species to allow birds to survive in a particular environment.

Subject Outlines

The subject outline includes the following topics:

• Topic 1: What makes a bird a bird? The early evolution of birds and the diversity of modern birds
  • This topic explores the early evolution of birds and the diversity of modern birds
• Topic 2: Feathers, the most distinctive feature of birds
  • This topic delves into the structure and function of feathers
• Topic 3: A body designed for flight
  • This topic examines the skeletal, muscle, and physiological adaptations that enable flight
• Topic 4: Physiology of birds
  • This topic covers the physiological systems that support bird life
• Topic 5: Bird brains and senses
  • This topic investigates the sensory and neural mechanisms controlling bird behaviour
• Topic 6: How birds produce a beautiful song
  • This topic explores the mechanisms of bird song production
• Topic 7: The annual cycles of birds
  • This topic discusses the main events that mark a bird's life, including reproduction, moult, and migration
• Topic 8: Migration, navigation, and territoriality
  • This topic examines the mechanisms of bird migration and navigation
• Topic 9: Life history strategies and breeding systems
  • This topic covers the variety of bird life histories and breeding systems
• Topic 10: Mate choice and sexual selection
  • This topic explores the mechanisms of mate choice and sexual selection in birds
• Topic 11: From sex to eggs
  • This topic discusses the reproductive biology of birds
• Topic 12: Parents and their offspring
  • This topic examines the relationships between parents and their offspring in birds

Availability

The subject is available in Session 1, with classes held online and at the Albury-Wodonga Campus.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The subject is one session in duration.

School

The subject is offered by the School of Environmental Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the internal and external anatomy of birds
• Demonstrate fundamental knowledge about the avian respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems
• Demonstrate broad knowledge about bird physiology
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the sensory and neural mechanisms controlling bird behaviour
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of migration and how birds navigate
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge about the variety of bird life histories and breeding systems
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of avian reproduction
• Review, relate, and synthesise their knowledge of avian biology to bird ecology, evolution, behaviour, and conservation.