Ornithology: What is and what studies

Ornithology is branch of zoology that studies birds. Unlike most branches of zoology, ornithology has been practiced not only by scientists, but also by fans. This occurs thanks to the ease of sighting birds and being cosmopolitan animals that can be found throughout the world. These fans are called Ornithophils And his contributions have been very important for science, even since the beginning of this science.

The history of ornithology is very old and is related to the ability of man to perceive the beauty of feathers, songs and bird flight. Throughout different cultures there were different appreciations around birds, from veneration appreciations to their consumption. However, The study of birds was first recorded with Aristotle. In the Middle Ages, the taste for hectrería and the playful use of these birds of prey, increasing the general interest in birds.

It was not until 1670 when it began to be treated scientifically. During the Renaissance multiple encyclopedias of ornithology were created. For the sixteenth century it was when the naturalistic current exploded, where nature began to explore deeply through trips, to elaborate compendiums and prepared documents. Charles Darwin He was one of these naturalists, who used the pinzones to help support his theory of the origin of the species.

The popularization of ornithology increased with John Dovstonan English naturalist who created multiple tools to study birds, including hanging bird feeders. In 1830 he created an ornitoscopea type of telescope to study birds in their natural environment and distance. This took the way to use binoculars, making the most popular ornithology and attracting fans or ornithophils, because the technique made it easier and more enjoyable to the study.

There is also a record of John Densoneditor of a natural history magazine, which used a similar device in 1823 to observe birds. This was a great alternative for bird lovers They did not have to kill them to study them. From this, we have multiple groups of bird fans today.

Ornithology Study everything related to birdswith a very large range of areas. Such specific study areas are:

• Origin and evolution of birds.
• Taxonomic classification of the different groups and species. Discover more about the classification of birds here.
• Geographical distribution and migrations. Here you can discover migratory birds: names and photos.
• Study of morphology and physiological characteristics. This includes the special adaptations of this group, such as peaks adapted to different feeds, differences in the legs or in its internal way to adapt to different habitats. Measurement is known as ornithometry. Here you can discover some of the characteristics of the birds.
• Bird behavior.
• Daily and seasonal circadian rhythms. We encourage you to meet night birds: names and types.
• Forms of communication. A clear example of bird communication is your song. Here you can discover some of the birds that sing.
• Conservation, starting from the particular threats of the group.
• Methodology for sighting and identification in the field or study zone in nature.

The Bird observation techniques They are very varied and are based on what you want to study, taking into account that, as we saw in the previous section, there are several areas to study. Here are some of the most used.

Photography and optics

By using binoculars It is possible to see birds without disturbing them. You take note of what is observed in field notebooks. To bring more durable records, photography can be used.

Fog nets

Fog nets can be placed in the field to capture birds. These are very thin and They do not harm birds. They are only trapped so that the ornithologist will take it out, I study them in the same place with great care and release them again.

There are techniques to hold the birds so that they do not leave, without hurting them and without stressing them much. The data taken are physical measures and characteristics. For the latter it usually blows on the belly so that the feathers move and achieve better. All data is taken in field notebooks.

During these captures, use of guides to identify birds. In addition, in some cases they can be marked to identify later, which is very useful in cases of migrations.

Collections

The Biological collections They are composed of preserved specimens. In the case of birds, eggs, dissected birds can be found in alcohol. From these Bird samples Measurements can be made and determine species. They are common in museums and thanks to them it is possible to know organisms that we did not know before.

Laboratory studies

Particular elements of birds can be studied in a laboratory, such as blood samples. More complex tests can also be carried out and in controlled environments To study your behavior.

Birds have been an important element in the development of the human being. Here we indicate some applications of ornithology:

• His knowledge has served for domestication, such as poultrywhich is exploited for human consumption. Here you can know the birds of Corral better: types and examples.
• Ornithology serves to Know the birds better in their ecosystemknow what role they play and Know the balance what’s for Help monitor that it does not break for human actions and to see how far and how you can act to recover balance if it has been broken, either by human action or natural disasters. You can be interesting at this point also to read this article about birds in danger of extinction.
• Many birds are also used as pets and its food, reproduction and care have allowed this industry to grow. In this practice there is always a fine line between legal and illegal practices, as well as between ethics and non -ethical.
• They have also been used in the medical field, such as Models for Immunology and Vaccine Production.
• There are problematic birds for people, in the sense that they can cause damage to crops or even transmit diseaseslike avian flu. Ornithology is very useful to reduce this negative impact on society.

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