Avian Biology

Volume I

1st Edition - September 28, 1971
Editors: Donald S. Farner, James R. King
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 7 0 0 0 - 5

Avian Biology is a collection of papers that deals with biological aspects of birds such as their classification and habitat behavior. One paper reviews how birds are classified… Read more

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Avian Biology is a collection of papers that deals with biological aspects of birds such as their classification and habitat behavior. One paper reviews how birds are classified through practical systematics, study of fossils, and some of the problems encountered in the arrangement of major groups. Another paper discusses the origin and evolution of birds from their reptilian predecessors to their current evolutionary rates. Evolutionary rates vary depending on access to new habitats; if the environment is static, evolutionary rates can also slow down. One author discusses the inter-relations of sea birds with their marine environment, including coastal areas and the biological properties of the surface water. Another author describes the biology of desert birds relating to nomadism behavior and physical adaptations especially to the arid environment. The author also describes the cooling mechanism of these desert birds. Another paper evaluates the ecological aspect of behavior that includes foraging, habitat selection, mating, and flocking cohesion. Avian biologists, zoologists, and readers who have a general interest in birds will find this book useful.

List of Contributors

Preface

Note on Taxonomy

Chapter 1. Classification of Birds

I. Introduction

II. Practical Systematics

III. Some Problems in the Arrangement of Major Groups

IV. A Classification of Birds

V. Some Fossils of Uncertain Taxonomic Position

References

Chapter 2 . Origin and Evolution of Birds

I. Introduction

II. Some Reptilian Predecessors of Birds

III. The Origin of Birds

IV. Evolution during the Cretaceous

V. The Tertiary Expansion of Birds

VI. Evolution in the Quaternary

VII. Rate of Evolution

References

Chapter 3. Systematics and Speciation in Birds

I. Introduction and Analytic Methods

II. Intraspecific Variation

III. Species and Speciation

IV. Generic Level

V. The Future of Avian Systematics

References

Chapter 4. Adaptive Radiation of Birds

I. Introduction

II. Problems in Size: The Surface-Volume Ratio

III. Locomotor Adaptations

IV. Adaptation for Feeding

V. Adaptive Radiation within Families and Orders of Birds

References

Chapter 5. Patterns of Terrestrial Bird Communities

I. Introduction

II. Spatial and Temporal Organization

III. Interspecies Associations

IV. Birds as Part of a Larger Community. Energy and Density of Individuals

V. Prospect

References

Chapter 6. Sea Bird Ecology and the Marine Environment

I. Introduction

II. Feeding

III. The Marine Environment

IV. Breeding Seasons, Movements, and Molt

V. Breeding Ecology

VI. Life and Death of Sea Birds

VII. Regulation of Sea Bird Numbers

VIII. Interspecific Relations and Some Evolutionary Considerations

References

Chapter 7. Biology of Desert Birds

I. Introduction

II. The Nature of Desert Areas

III. The Occurrence of Deserts

IV. The Desert Avifauna

V. Reproduction

VI. Nomadism

VII. Physiological Adaptations

References

Chapter 8. Ecological Aspects of Periodic Reproduction

I. Introduction

II. The Breeding Seasons of Birds

III. Ultimate Control of Reproduction

IV. Proximate Control of Reproduction

V. The Social Factor in Reproduction

VI. Phylogenetic Aspects of Breeding Seasons

VII. Migration in Relation to Reproduction

References

Chapter 9. Population DynamicsZ

I. Definition

II. Bird Numbers

III. Population Fluctuations

IV. Clutch Size

V. Territory

VI. Mortality

References

Chapter 10. Ecological Aspects of Reproduction

Symbols

I. Introduction

II. Demographic Considerations

III. Variations in Reproductive Parameters

IV. Reproductive Strategy

V. Breeding Success

VI. Adult Survivorship

VII. Geographic Variation in Reproductive Strategies

References

Chapter 11. Ecological Aspects of Behavior

I. Introduction

II. Foraging Behavior

III. Habitat Selection and Spacing

IV. Mating Systems

V. Flocking Behavior

References

Author Index

Index to Bird Names

Subject Index