Ecology, behavior and species diversity in the rain forest: a focus on birds

Introduction

It is expected that students attending this course will have previously attended courses in general biology, and will thus have some familiarity with the major concepts of evolution and ecology. It is also expected that students will be enthusiastic about studying animals, particularly birds, in the field - they should be highly motivated and prepared to work hard. The course is certainly intensive while, at the same time, it is also designed to be stimulating and enjoyable.

Course Syllabus

1. Group field excursions. Walking through the forests and other habitats, observing and identifying fauna and flora, focussing especially on birds. Students will be encouraged to keep detailed field notebooks, to record what was seen.
2. Tutorials on methodology - on how to study the ecology, behavior and diversity of birds (and other organisms) in the field. These will be supplemented with group field tasks, whereby there will be opportunity to practice the various techniques. Field sessions will be held in which techniques of safely trapping and handling birds will be demonstrated, and students will also be taught how to make good recordings of bird vocalizations.
3. Formal lectures. Mostly given in the evening, these will cover a wide range of topics relating to tropical ecosystems and especially to birds. Approximately 13 lectures will be given, selected from the following: What and where are rain forests and an introduction to Costa Rica╒s geography, climate and major biomes. Introduction to the flora of Costa Rican rain forests. Introduction to the fauna of Costa Rican rain forests. Introduction to tropical bird families. Tropical biodiversity: why are the rain forests so full of species? Community structure and competition in the tropics. Predator-prey interactions in the rain forest: eating and avoiding being eaten. Hummingbirds and honeycreepers: pollination ecology and nectar feeding. Seed dispersal and frugivory: the crucial role of birds. Sex in the rain forest: breeding strategies of tropical birds. Population dynamics and life history studies of birds in the tropics. Migration strategies of neotropical birds. Vocal communication in tropical forests. The pros and cons of group living. Deforestation in the tropics: the impact on biodiversity and the importance of conservation.
4. Excursions away from the field station, to visit other Costa Rican ecosystems. One is likely to be montane, the other coastal, and both will involve overnight stays. They will provide opportunity to observe new species and habitats, and will also provide a relaxing break from work.
5. Independent projects. Probably in pairs, students will design, carry out and then present the results of a project of their choosing. The instructor will, of course, be on hand at all stages to help out. The projects will take up most of the second half of the course, and will give students the opportunity to experience something of the life of a field biologist. Project topics in the past have included work on niche partitioning, territoriality, breeding behavior, seed dispersal, foraging behavior, species diversity, population studies, etc. It is likely that most students will focus on birds, but there will be no objection should a particular student's interest lie elsewhere. Bird species studied in previous projects have included groove-billed anis, cattle egrets, various flycatchers, white-collared manakins, several hummingbird species, northern jacanas, frugivores such as oropendolas, toucans and tanagers, and chestnut-backed antbirds.
6. For assessment purposes, there will be a test on lecture content, and also assessed talks on the group and independent projects. The write-up of the independent project will comprise the greatest proportion of the overall grade.

Background reading

Good, general introductions:

• Kricher, J. 1997. "A Neotropical Companion." 2nd edition. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. ISBN 0-691-04433-3.

• Forsyth, A. and K. Miyata 1995. "Tropical Nature." Touchstone, New York, NY 10020. ISBN 0-684-18710-8.

• Janzen, D.H. (ed.) 1983. "Costa Rican Natural History." University of Chicago Press, Chicago.*

  * Although now almost 17 years old, Daniel Janzen's book on Costa Rican natural history is still well worth a browse through:

Stiles, G., A. Skutch and D. Gardner, 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. ISBN 0-8014-2287-6.

Necessary equipment