The Scientific Wonder of Birds

The key connections between birds and dinosaurs; evidence that birds evolve directly from dinosaurs; they are themselves dinosaurs; bipedal reptiles gain the ability to fly, become birds; the cursorial and arboreal theories of the origin of flight.

The aerodynamics of bird flight; grasping how a bird's wings operate as an airfoil; exploring the properties of bird feathers, as they control speed, altitude and direction; the structure, the types and the many roles of feathers in bird behavior.

The physiological features of birds that undergird flight; why feathers evolve; birds must burn energy at a fast rate; adapted for flight by many weight-reducing factors; their respiratory, circulatory and excretory systems keep them airborne.

The miraculous feats of navigation performed by birds; how birds use visual landmarks, magnetic fields, sun position and the position of constellations in their migratory travels; their migration patterns and habits; the perils of these journeys.

Humans undervalue the intelligence of birds; examining the structure of the avian brain and the extraordinary forms of intelligence birds show; the role of instinct in bird behavior; their use of tools; bird behavior is correlated with the seasons.

The behavior of birds when they form flocks; group foraging; birds form mixed-species foraging flocks; group roosting and breeding behavior; fossil evidence that suggests some dinosaurs nest like modern wading birds; knowing why birds form colonies.

The nature of competition among birds; the display behavior, which sends a message regarding territory, courtship or threats; birds defend territory for breeding, feeding, nesting and roosting; territorial defense uses a series of recognized signals.

The multifaceted phenomenon of birdsong; distinguishing between birds' songs and calls; the physics of song production; the innate versus the learned components of birdsong; birds practice their songs; the individual and social functions of birdsong.

Examining female birds' choice of mates; females test potential mates; how males provide a basis for choice; avian monogamy and polygamy; pair bonding in birds, extra-pair mating, sexual role reversal; the avian equivalents of adultery and divorce.

Three forms of avian polygyny, where one male mates with several females; the factors that make it a useful adaptation; in leks, males compete for mates; the dramatic courtship displays of some male birds; the Australian bowerbirds.

Learning how birds mate; the structure and life cycle of bird eggs; observing the materials used to build nests; the range of ingenious avian nesting behavior; how birds incubate their clutch; brood parasites laying eggs in the nests of other birds.

The hatching process and the contrasting conditions for altricial chicks versus precocial chicks; how birds feed their young; the process of educating fledglings for life in the wild; the adaptations of siblicide; unmated young help raise broods.