Natural History of Birds - ENVS 106A

Conservation Seminars

Our last two class meetings will focus on the conservation of birds. We will employ a seminar format, where you are afforded the opportunity to learn about current conservation issues, practice oral presentation skills, and contribute to group discussions.

Each student should select and research a topic and prepare a brief (8-10 minutes) summary to present to the class. In your presentation, you should introduce the issue, outline past and present conservation problems and management strategies, and finish by considering what might be done in the future. You will be evaluated on the quality and thoughtfulness of your presentation and contributions to the discussion.

Conservation Seminar 1: Terrestrial birds (sample topics)

• Spotted Owl, old growth forest, & ESA
• Burrowing Owl and open space
• Bald Eagle: DDT and de-listing
• Peregrine Falcon: decline & recovery
• California Condor: decline & restoration
• Golden Eagles & island foxes: endangered species chess
• Brown-headed Cowbirds: brood parasitism and endangered species
• Birds in captivity: illegal parrot trade
• Birds & hazards: wind farms, lights, towers, house cats
• Habitat loss: Willow Flycatchers, Tri-colored Blackbirds
• West Nile and other viruses

Conservation Seminar 2: Marine Birds (sample topics)

• Seabirds & oil spills: impacts, rehabilitation, Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill (then & now)
• Decline and restoration of the Common Murre in California
• Brown Pelican: eggshell thinning, recovery, and de-listing
• Seabirds & non-native predators: Snowy Plovers & red foxes, murrelets & rats
• Seabirds & fisheries: Caspian Terns & salmon, albatross mortality in long lines
• Marbled Murrelets, old growth forests, & the ESA
• Seabirds & toxins: pelicans & domoic acid
• Seabirds & plastic pollution