Learn about Birds

Ornithology is the study of birds and is of interest to all sorts of people from the hobbiest to scientists the world over. With ACS Distance Education you learn about several types of birds from waterbirds to the captivating birds of prey. Imagine being able to identify and classify these amazing creatures, impressing your friends and family with your knowledge of birds in their natural environments.

For more information

Bird Books through our mail order bookshop

Our Ornithology course

Birds are among the most beautiful, fascinating and amazing creatures on the planet. Their brilliant plumage, the complexity of their social behaviour and the sheer range of their forms have combined to provide a special attraction. For variety and beauty there is no other class of animal that can come anywhere near the birds. They range in size from the tiny humming birds weighing only a few grams to the giant ostrich, measured in kilograms. Their lifestyle diversity is immense. Birds live in all kinds of habitat from forests to deserts, mountains and prairies, all the oceans and even Antarctica. There are birds that feed on nothing but seeds or nectar and others that pursue living prey by sometimes unique and often ferocious ways; their courtship and mating rituals range from the simple to the highly complex and idiosyncratic, and they demonstrate enormous variety in methods of locomotion and flight. This course will introduce you to many of these amazing characteristics within the world of aves.

For example:  The first step in understanding birds is to understand how they are classified (ie. how they are named). When you understand the groups or subdivisions which birds fall into, you will have a foundation for identifying and remembering the names of different birds which you encounter.

Family Name                Characteristics                                           Example

There are many clubs and groups interested in all aspects of birds, including bird watching, bird keeping, and bird ecology. These types of bodies can be found in most countries, and can range from national organisations, down to locally-based clubs with just a few members. Becoming a member of such a group is a great way to meet people with similar interests, and learn more about birds. As a member, you can participate in field trips, perhaps to places you might not normally be able to go.

British Trust for Ornithology; The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU
Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050 Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030 Email: info@bto.org http://www.bto.org

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