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Zoology 360, The Biology of Birds
Below is a link to a
lab review created by Ornithology 2003 student Bryan Napoletano. Note that this
review was not created by your TAs, and we have not done extensive fact-checking
on it. If something within this document does not agree with your notes, ask
a TA for clarification! This is intended as a study aid, not the final word
(for example, note that the Black Tern's scientific name is misspelled in this
review packet).
Lab
Exam 1 review
It's All Greek To Me.....
Are you having trouble with the Greek and Latin terminology used in the systematic classification of birds? I find that scientific names are easier to remember when I have some idea of what they mean. If you feel the same way, try my Avian Lexicon.
Don't Forget to Review!
You really need to study every week for the lab portion of this course. Cramming will NOT work. Staying on top of your work will ensure that you do well on the exams.
Steve Vieira, a former ZOL 360 TA, has put together some great review pages for the labs. You should check them out, I think you'll find them quite helpful. These pages are intended to help you review, but they do not cover all of the material that is fair game for your exams. Make sure you review your coursepack as well.
Characteristics of birds, and Gaviiformes through Podicipediformes Review
Spenisciformes through Anseriiformes (Anatini) Review
Anseriformes (Aythyini) through Charadriiformes 1 Review
Galliformes thru Caprimulgiformes Review
Apodiformes through Passeriformes (Flycatchers and Crows) Review
Aluadidiae thru Sylviidae (Old World Insect Eaters) Review
Check it out: a sample key to the warblers
Sparrows, Finches and Blackbirds Review
The Name Game
As mentioned in lab, it is strongly recommend that you use some sort of flashcard or chart system to help you identify the birds and learn the scientific names that we use in class. You will be periodically asked to show your TAs how you are studying for lab, so be prepared to wow them with your study aids. Below are links to some virtual flash cards for the birds that you need to identify to genus and species (recall the proper way to write a genus-species name, eg. Gavia immer). The flashcards are grouped like the divisions in your coursepack: water birds, wading and marsh birds, non-passerine terrestrial birds, and passerines.
Flashcards: Water Birds (requires Netscape or IE 4)
Flashcards: Wading and Marsh Birds (requires Netscape or IE 4)
Flashcards: Terrestrial Birds: the non-Passerines (requires Netscape or IE 4)
Flashcards: Terrestrial Birds: the Passerines (requires Netscape or IE 4)