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Course Description

Discover the joys of birdwatching! People are fascinated by birds! Their songs, colors, and behavioral displays have long captured our imagination, and unlike many wild animals, birds are out during the day, abundant, and globally distributed, making them easy to observe without any special equipment or travel. With these combined characteristics, watching and learning about birds can be a rewarding and fun activity for people of all ages and something that can be shared with family and friends. Designed for beginning birders of any age, Taking Flight will lead us through basic bird identification, available birding resources, and virtual activities such as a tour of the collections at the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates. The course is designed to cater to a range of age groups, making this a fun opportunity for families to participate together. You will leave this course ready to explore the birds in your own backyard and beyond. Come explore avian biology and learn what makes birds so fascinating.

Faculty Author

As a Research Associate at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Dr. Walsh is interested in utilizing a combination of genomic and ecological approaches to understand avian speciation, hybridization, and evolution. Most of her research to date has focused on tidal marsh endemics. Dr. Walsh’s interest in tidal salt marshes stem from their extreme adaptive challenges and from the suite of conservation challenges associated with these systems. She also works collaboratively to apply genetic tools to several systems including Orioles, Fairywrens, Wood Thrushes, and Ruffed Grouse. In addition to her genomic background, Dr. Walsh has extensive experience trapping and banding birds, having banded thousands of birds in her career. When she’s not working out at the lab, you can find her hiking and birding with her two-year-old with the hopes of instilling an appreciation for birds and nature!

Benefits to the Learner

After the successful completion of the course, students will:

  • Understand the method of classification of bird species.
  • Identify varieties of birds and their habitats.
  • Observe bird behavior, determine mating rituals and migration patterns.
  • About current research at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology.
  • Hear and identify sound and sound patterns for a variety of birds. 
  • Utilize the eBird app from Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology.
  • Develop a tracking system for bird sightings.
  • Find out what birds to expect throughout the year in a region or location
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