Birds are an entryway for all ages to care about and explore the natural world of the present, future, and prehistoric past. From the flightless aquatic penguins of the south to the breathtakingly beautiful birds-of-paradise in the equatorial tropics, our planet is fantastically full of fascinating flamboyance, flight or lack thereof, and of course FEATHERS! There are so many amazing species to love and learn about no matter where you may be! Birds are some of the most successful  and diversely speciated vertebrates/boned animals to ever evolve, especially flighted. 
The Earth has an immense variety of environment and ecosystem combinations that birds have been capable to survive and thrive within. These unique places across our planet all vary in moisture and temperature, as well as many other factors like light, air quality, and other living things which all play a part in how birds will adapt. However, the presence of flight will allow these creatures to go anywhere and change to the environment with ease! Birds are present worldwide on each of the continents, as well as the surrounding waters and often times the skies!

This is a class all about the different groups and species of birds that can be found across Earth's ecosystems. Learners will virtually travel our planet visiting terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) habitats and biomes in order to learn about unique species. We will learn about specific notable species and overall groups of animals that can be found on each of the continental land masses as well as our oceans and seas!

There will be plenty of facts provided on these animals as well as their characteristics, species diversity, and what makes them so special! We will work on broad (all encompassing) and narrow topics. There will be a focus on each groups natural history/biology, anatomy, and unique adaptations.
 Certain classes we may have video clips to watch, activities like games/coloring pages/etcetera, and discussion about these creatures.

*WEEK 33 - 10/28/2024* 
If you have questions regarding the schedule please reach out. 

November 10 - Week 1: Ratites - Tinamous ; Kiwis
November 17 - Week 2: Ratites - Ostrich, Rhea, Emu, Cassowary and more!
November 24 - Week 3: Otidiformes - Bustards
December 1 - Week 4: Cuculiformes - Cuckoos
December 8- Week 5: Musophagiformes - Turacos
December 15- Week 6: Gruiformes - Marshbirds: Rails and allies, Cranes, Trumpeters, and more!
December 22- Week 7: Podicipediformes - Grebes
Decemeber 29- Week 8: Phoenicopteriformes - Flamingos
January 5- Week 9: Charadriiformes - Shorebirds: Sandpipers, Plovers, Snipes, Skuas, Auks, and more!
January 12- Week 10: Eurypygiformes - SunBittern, Kagu; Phaethontiformes - Tropicbirds
January 19- Week 11: Mesites; Sandgrouse; Pigeons
January 26- Week 12: Apodiformes - Swifts, Hummingbirds, and More!
February 2- Week 13: Caprimulgiformes - Nightjars, Frogmouths, Potoos, and Oilbirds
February 9- Week 14: Galliformes - Landfowl - Grouse, Quail, Pheasant, and more!
February 16- Week 15: Anseriformes - Waterfowl - Ducks, Geese, Swans, and more!
February 23- Week 16: Sphenisciformes - Penguins
March 2- Week 17: Gaviiformes - Loons; Opisthocomiformes - Hoatzin
March 9- Week 18: Procellariiformes - Petrel, Albatross, and more!
March 16- Week 19: Ciconiiformes - Storks
March 23- Week 20: Suliformes - Cormorants, Frigratebirds, Anhingas, and more!
March 30- Week 21: Pelecaniformes - Ibis, Herons, Pelicans, and more!
April 6- Week 22: Accipitriformes - Raptors (Eagles, Hawks, and more including New World Vultures)
April 13- Week 23: Strigiformes - Owls
April 20- Week 24: Trogoniformes - Trogons, Quetzal
April 27- Week 25 Bucerotiformes - Hornbill, Hoopooes, and more!
May 4- Week 26: Piciformes - Woodpeckers, Toucans, Honeyguides, and more!
May 11- Week 27  Coraciiformes - Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, and more!
May 18- Week 28: Coliiformes - Mousebirds; Leptosomiformes - Cuckoo Roller; Cariamiformes - Seriemas
May 25- Week 29 Falconiformes - Falcons and Caracara
June 1- Week 30: Psittaciformes - Parrots
June 8- Week 31 Passeriformes - Perching Birds - Acanthisitti and Tyranni
June 15- Week 32: Passeriformes - Perching Birds - Passeri (Part 1)
2024:
October 27- Week 33: Passeriformes - Perching Birds - Passeri (Part 2)
November 3- Week 34: Passeriformes - Perching Birds - Passeri (Part 3)

Students will also learn about these animal's conservation/ preservation, concerns, and threats as habitat loss amongst many other impacts affect these species. EDUCATION is the first step in conservation!

This is a lecture style, interactive class with many opportunities to ask and answer questions from myself or other students. 
No prior knowledge or experience is needed to take this course. A love for nature is most definitely appreciated :) Flexible Age Range!!!
Fun Resources :D
Cornell Lab of Ornithology / Merlin Bird ID app