ZO 501 Ornithology - Spring 2012
Question of the WeekA correct answer submitted to the TA before the answer is posted earns 1 extra credit point. A new question will be posted every Monday morning. Submit a question that is chosen as the question of the week and earn 2 extra credit points. Submit a question that is posted and remains unanswered for 1 week and receive 5 extra credit points.
Note: If you submit an incorrect or incomplete answer, you will not be able to submit another answer for credit. You are welcome to continue to figure it out and talk to us, but no extra credit will be provided.
Week 16
What's the bird (with family and order, of course!) in the background of this page??
This one was a bit of a "gimme", but we figured it was the end of the semester! Congratulations to James, Natalie, Marie, Jessica, Mary Mack, Samantha, Mary Anne, Shane, Ian, Megan, and Shanna for submitting a correct answer.
Week 15Many graduate projects in ornithology are generated to fill knowledge gaps identified by experts on particular species. The Birds of North America accounts (Cornell) are a good source for thorough descriptions of the state of knowledge for a species, but they often do not represent the most current scientific information. For example, the American Oystercatcher account was last published in 1994 but much new work has been accomplished since then. Find a species (other than the American Oystercatcher) for which one of the future research priorities listed in the BNA has been addressed since the account was published. Send us the link to the BNA page on which you found the priority, tell us which one it is, and send a full citation (not a link) for the publication in which the priority has been addressed/answered. This should be a thesis, dissertation or article published in a scientific journal (i.e. primary source).
We got three great answers this week and learned some things in the process. There are lots of fascinating projects out there, just waiting for someone to pick them up. (There are also several BNA accounts that need revision!). Congratulations to Megan, Shane and Jessica - nicely done.
Week 14What species is this (with family and order, of course!) and what is that on its back? And, how's the device used for research? (click on the image to enlarge)
This bird is a Dunlin (Charadriiformes, Scolopacidae) in wintering plumage. It was captured on the coast of Washington state, and had a radio transmitter (NOT a geolocator or satellite transmitter) attached to its back to detect its local location and track its local movements by radio telemetry. Congratulations to James, Eli, and Mary Mack for the correct answer! Many great attempts from a lot of other people - shorebirds in wintering plumage are notoriously difficult to ID. (And, as always, remember to answer all parts of the question; many people were not awarded a point for failing to do this.)
Week 13What species (with family and order) did Dr. Simons study for each of his graduate theses (Master's and PhD)?
Dr. Simons received both of his graduate degrees from the University of Washington, studying the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (Hydrobatidae, Procellariiformes) for his M.S. and the Hawaiian [Dark-rumped] Petrel (Procellariidae, Procellariiformes) for his Ph.D. Congratulations to Megan, Mary Mack, Shane and Allie for submitting the correct answer.
Week 11Take a look at this video: http://youtu.be/UDi5d0hq9sw. Why might the Osprey be harrassing the nesting Bald Eagles?
Bald Eagles are known to exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior towards Osprey. They will chase an Osprey which has just caught a fish, sometimes even attacking, in an attempt to force the Osprey to drop its prey. Osprey may try to defend their catch, or retaliate after loss of fish, by harassing and swooping at the eagles. In the case of this video, it was also noted that the Osprey had nested in the previous year in the location of the current eagle nest. Potentially the eagles didn't steal food from the Osprey, but in this case, the Osprey's nest. The Osprey in the video might have been harassing the eagles in retaliation for the theft of either their nest or their food.
Congratulations to Megan for the correct answer! Thanks to Nick for submitting the video!
Week 10What distinction is shared by only eagles and pelicans?
Bald Eagles and pelicans are the only birds portrayed on US State Flags. Bald Eagles appear on the flags of New York, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Utah, Iowa, and Missouri. Bald Eagle feathers appear on the Oklahoma state flag as well. The pelican appears on the Lousiana state flag. We did not receive a single attempt at this answer! (Perhaps the distraction of 25 possible points for the zoo write-up overshadowed it...)
Week 8The nesting season will soon be upon us! In that light, identify at least 5 of the 7 the species which built and laid the nests below (with family and order of each species, of course!). Click the photos to see larger images.
Apparently this was a tough one! We only received two submissions, neither of which correctly identified five of the seven nests. Don't let the questions that are difficult to search on the internet stump you!
1 - Willet (Scolopacidae, Charadriiformes)
2 - Wilson's Plover (Charadriidea, Charadriiformes)
3 - Barn Swallow (Hirundinidea, Passeriformes)
4 - Piping Plover (Charadriidea, Charadriiformes)
5 - Common Nighthawk (Caprimulgidae, Caprimulgiformes)
6 - Laughting Gull (Laridae, Charadriiformes)
7 - Least Tern (Laridae, Charadriiformes)
Week 7What species (with family and order) is pictured here? It exhibits a nesting behavior that is unusual for its family - what is it? Tell us about the hidden feathers that the bird uses in its mating display. (Hint: start with what you can tell about the bird, e.g. which order and/or family you think it’s in based on similar birds found in your species list.)
Due to striking similarity, we accepted either of the following species for this one: Temminck's Tragopan (Tragopan temminickii) or Crimson Horned Pheasant (Tragopan satyra). Both are unusual within Family Phasianidae (Order Galliformes) because they nest off the ground, in trees or similar structures. They also nest in higher altitudes than many in their family, so that was an accepted answer. To find out about the display, best to see the gearing up and chase videos. Lots of correct answers this week: Megan, Shane, Jessica, Allie, James, Shanna and Paul. Thanks to James for the chase video and to Nathan for suggesting the question!
Week 6What is the structure in this picture? What species of bird created the structure? How does the meaning of the genus name relate to the structure?
The structure is a communal nest created by Sociable Weavers (Philetairus socius). The genus name, Philetairus, of this bird is combination of the Greek words philos meaning "love, dear, beloved" and hetairos meaning "companion", which relates to their communal nesting behavior. These large nests can host hundreds of individuals and multiple generations at a time.
Congratulations to Megan, Eli, and Nathan for submitting the correct answer! Thanks to Shane for submitting the photograph and suggesting the question!
Week 5These are images from a previous winter's feeder. Name the seven species (with family and order for each) and a state in which I might have been living at the time. Click to enlarge image.
Okay (drumroll, please). Here are the species pictured below:
Golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) - Emberizidae House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) - Passeridae* House Finch (Carpodacus maxicanus) - Fringillidae Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) - Emberizidae Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon (Junco hyemalis) - Emberizidae Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) - Sittidae Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla) - Paridae All are in the order Passeriformes. *Note that the House Sparrow is in a different family from the New World Sparrows, a fact that tripped a few of you. I was living in Washington state, although just across the river from Oregon. The sparrow has the most limited range, combined with the chickadee and junco to suggest somewhere between northern California and British Columbia (although the hint admitted I was in a "state"). Congratulations to Allie and Natalie!
Week 4What species is this your TA has "in-hand"? And, what's a common nickname for this bird and why is it nick-named such?
Tracy is holding a juvenile Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger). One of its nicknames is “sea dog” derived from its vocalization, which resembles the barking of a dog. Note: It does not make this vocalization while skimming the water for food, nor is the vocalization associated with catching or searching for food or the method the skimmer uses to do this. Notice the skimmers make no sounds in this video showing them “skimming”, i.e. fishing for a meal: http://www.arkive.org/black-skimmer/rynchops-niger/video-08.html. Congratulations to Nathan for submitting the correct answer.
A word of advice (which should be a reminder): Do not automatically assume every internet site from which you glean information is accurate. Be very discerning when using websites as a reference.
Week 3
This bird shares a home with two unusual mammals that have a "uniquely" avian trait. Name the bird, one of the two mammals and the trait.
This is a Barking Owl (Ninox connivens), aka Winking Owl, from mainland Australia. Also from Australia are the duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and the echidnas (family Tachyglossidae), the only two extant mammals to lay eggs. This is the answer we anticipated, but the Genus name of the platypus means "bird nose," and we accepted the bill of the platypus to be the trait, as well. Congratulations to Mary Mack, Megan, Marie, James and Mary Anne for the correct and full answer. Thanks to Eli for suggesting the question. Please remember to read the question carefully and send all parts of the answer when you submit!
Week 2
There are two reasons identifying the bird in the photo below is a bit more complex. What are they and what species is it?
This is an American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus. The dark on the bill (and the dull ring around the eye) indicates a juvenile bird. The other unusual feature of this individual is the extensive white on the wings/back, which could be individual variation, excessive wear, or because the bird is partially leucistic (a term for the opposite of melanistic). James and Jessica got an extra credit point for the answer, and Nick and Megan were each awarded a half-point.
Note: this question proved difficult to interpret, and we'll try to make future questions clearer.
Week 1What species is this? And, why have people been talking about it lately? (Must answer both questions to get credit.)
These are hooded cranes, Grus monacha (the pictured ones are in captivity). They have been in regional news because one showed up at Hiawassee NWR with the migrating Sandhill Cranes. The photo in this article shows the difference: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/10/rare-crane-joins-hiwassee-refuge-flock/. Congratulations to Christon, Samantha and Marie for getting the answer!
