Date: 7/6/26 8:53 am From: Duncan, Scot via groups.io <scotduncan99...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] shout out from the ABA to Auburn's Dr. Geoff Hill
My apologies to Geoff Hill for misspelling his name in my recent post (it's
Geoff, not Jeff). I certainly know better, but was using voice-to-text
translation for a draft of that email and I didn't catch the substitution.
Sorry Geoff!
Scottt
On Thu, Jul 2, 2026 at 9:52 AM Scot Duncan <scotduncan99...> wrote:
> I was listening to the latest American Birding Association podcast that
> came out today and was pleased to hear several references to Alabama. Nate
> Swick runs the podcast and will be the Alabama Audubon keynote speaker at
> the 6th Annual Black Belt Birding Festival
> <https://alaudubon.org/black-belt-birding-festival>July 31-Aug 2.
>
> One mention was of the work by Dr Jeff Hill at Auburn to decode the causes
> of pigmentation variation in birds, including house finches which was a
> species of discussion in the podcast. Nate and Ted Floyd also praised us
> for having the Northern Flicker as our state bird (we're the only state
> with NOFL as the official state bird; and we're the only state with a
> woodpecker as an official state bird).
>
> I'll also share that our very own Andrew Lydeard (Alabama Audubon's
> Program Coordinator) and Chris Joe (Birds and Nature Tours) were guests on
> the ABA podcast two weeks ago and did a fabulous job of presenting the
> Black Belt as a wonderful hidden treasure for birding in the Eastern US.
>
> You can enjoy the ABA podcasts here <https://www.aba.org/podcast/>, or on
> Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc. The podcast is a great way to keep up on the
> latest in birding, unusual bird sightings and phenomena, and relevant new
> bird science.
>
> Scot
>
> R. Scot Duncan, Ph.D.
> Conservation biologist, author, advocate, and birder.
> https://www.rsduncan.com/ > Author of *Southern Wonder <https://www.rsduncan.com/swonder>* and *Southern
> Rivers <https://www.rsduncan.com/srivers>* > Executive Director, Alabama Audubon <https://alaudubon.org/> > For Alabama Audubon matters, please use <Scot...>
>
Date: 7/2/26 7:52 am From: Duncan, Scot via groups.io <scotduncan99...> Subject: [ALbirds] shout out from the ABA to Auburn's Dr. Geoff Hill
I was listening to the latest American Birding Association podcast that came out today and was pleased to hear several references to Alabama. Nate Swick runs the podcast and will be the Alabama Audubon keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Black Belt Birding Festival <https://alaudubon.org/black-belt-birding-festival>July 31-Aug 2.
One mention was of the work by Dr Jeff Hill at Auburn to decode the causes of pigmentation variation in birds, including house finches which was a species of discussion in the podcast. Nate and Ted Floyd also praised us for having the Northern Flicker as our state bird (we're the only state with NOFL as the official state bird; and we're the only state with a woodpecker as an official state bird).
I'll also share that our very own Andrew Lydeard (Alabama Audubon's Program Coordinator) and Chris Joe (Birds and Nature Tours) were guests on the ABA podcast two weeks ago and did a fabulous job of presenting the Black Belt as a wonderful hidden treasure for birding in the Eastern US.
You can enjoy the ABA podcasts here <https://www.aba.org/podcast/>, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc. The podcast is a great way to keep up on the latest in birding, unusual bird sightings and phenomena, and relevant new bird science.
Date: 6/24/26 12:41 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Thanks Drew!
I have re-attached the flier as a pdf.
Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.
Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
University of Holy Cross
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504-398-2312 Direct
504-394-7744 Main
[cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Drew Haffenden via groups.io <andrew...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 9:32 PM
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
You don't often get email from <andrew...> Learn why this is important<https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification> Peter the file requires ms publisher or similar to open. You should be able to convert it to pdf so it's accessible to everyone.
Cheers,
Drew Haffenden
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...>
Sent: Wednesday, 24 June 2026 11:39:47
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Attached it my follow up post, a few minutes after first.
P
Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.
Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
University of Holy Cross
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504-398-2312 Direct
504-394-7744 Main
[cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:38 PM
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in the that order below.
Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3) Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last time. I have re-attache flier.
PY
BEGINNING BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Avian morphology- names of body parts I
Timing and patterns of moult
Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
Migration I- introduction
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Annual Cycle
Songs and calls
Territoriality
Types of nests
Mating systems, courtship
Brood parasites
Eggs, incubation, nestlings
Migration II- migratory dynamics
BIRDING TIPS
Binoculars, camera, scope
Clothing
Good birding vehicles
Hazards and dangers
Attracting to your yard
Online resources, books
Migration III- finding migrants
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Backyard birds I
Backyard birds II
Backyard birds III
Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
Beyond backyard (in town) II
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The process of identification—field marks, giss, sex and age differences
Field mark nomenclature
Folding of wing and tail
Names of birds
Splitting and lumping
Use of 4-letter name codes
Flight
Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
Flocking patterns
Foraging behavior and terminology
Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
BIRDING TIPS
Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
How to find birds I
How to find birds II
Working weather to find birds
Assessing bird size in field
Counting birds
Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
Scientific names commonly used by birders
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
ADVANCED BIRDING I
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Feather structure and types
Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Range expansion and contraction
BIRDING TIPS
Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
Methods of expressing bird abundance
Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
North American biomes and habitats
Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
Morning flight
Urban birding: habitats to target
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Wrens
Vireos
Swifts and swallows
Doves
Raptors
Fall warblers
ADVANCED BIRDING II
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Extinct species
Endangered and threatened species
Historical development of bird conservation movement
Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Global patterns of bird migration
Strategies employed by migrating birds
Transgulf and circumgulf migration
Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
BIRDING TIPS
History of recreational birding in North America
Personal notes and lists
Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
Bird photography- tips
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Flycatchers
Gulls
Shorebirds
Date: 6/23/26 7:32 pm From: Drew Haffenden via groups.io <andrew...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Peter the file requires ms publisher or similar to open. You should be able to convert it to pdf so it's accessible to everyone.
Cheers,
Drew Haffenden
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...>
Sent: Wednesday, 24 June 2026 11:39:47
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Attached it my follow up post, a few minutes after first.
P
Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.
Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
University of Holy Cross
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504-398-2312 Direct
504-394-7744 Main
[cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:38 PM
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in the that order below.
Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3) Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last time. I have re-attache flier.
PY
BEGINNING BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Avian morphology- names of body parts I
Timing and patterns of moult
Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
Migration I- introduction
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Annual Cycle
Songs and calls
Territoriality
Types of nests
Mating systems, courtship
Brood parasites
Eggs, incubation, nestlings
Migration II- migratory dynamics
BIRDING TIPS
Binoculars, camera, scope
Clothing
Good birding vehicles
Hazards and dangers
Attracting to your yard
Online resources, books
Migration III- finding migrants
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Backyard birds I
Backyard birds II
Backyard birds III
Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
Beyond backyard (in town) II
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The process of identification—field marks, giss, sex and age differences
Field mark nomenclature
Folding of wing and tail
Names of birds
Splitting and lumping
Use of 4-letter name codes
Flight
Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
Flocking patterns
Foraging behavior and terminology
Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
BIRDING TIPS
Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
How to find birds I
How to find birds II
Working weather to find birds
Assessing bird size in field
Counting birds
Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
Scientific names commonly used by birders
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
ADVANCED BIRDING I
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Feather structure and types
Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Range expansion and contraction
BIRDING TIPS
Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
Methods of expressing bird abundance
Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
North American biomes and habitats
Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
Morning flight
Urban birding: habitats to target
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Wrens
Vireos
Swifts and swallows
Doves
Raptors
Fall warblers
ADVANCED BIRDING II
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Extinct species
Endangered and threatened species
Historical development of bird conservation movement
Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Global patterns of bird migration
Strategies employed by migrating birds
Transgulf and circumgulf migration
Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
BIRDING TIPS
History of recreational birding in North America
Personal notes and lists
Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
Bird photography- tips
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Flycatchers
Gulls
Shorebirds
Date: 6/23/26 6:39 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Attached it my follow up post, a few minutes after first.
P
Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.
Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
University of Holy Cross
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504-398-2312 Direct
504-394-7744 Main
[cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:38 PM
To: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...>
Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in the that order below.
Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3) Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last time. I have re-attache flier.
PY
BEGINNING BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Avian morphology- names of body parts I
Timing and patterns of moult
Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
Migration I- introduction
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Annual Cycle
Songs and calls
Territoriality
Types of nests
Mating systems, courtship
Brood parasites
Eggs, incubation, nestlings
Migration II- migratory dynamics
BIRDING TIPS
Binoculars, camera, scope
Clothing
Good birding vehicles
Hazards and dangers
Attracting to your yard
Online resources, books
Migration III- finding migrants
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Backyard birds I
Backyard birds II
Backyard birds III
Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
Beyond backyard (in town) II
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The process of identification—field marks, giss, sex and age differences
Field mark nomenclature
Folding of wing and tail
Names of birds
Splitting and lumping
Use of 4-letter name codes
Flight
Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
Flocking patterns
Foraging behavior and terminology
Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
BIRDING TIPS
Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
How to find birds I
How to find birds II
Working weather to find birds
Assessing bird size in field
Counting birds
Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
Scientific names commonly used by birders
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
ADVANCED BIRDING I
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Feather structure and types
Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Range expansion and contraction
BIRDING TIPS
Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
Methods of expressing bird abundance
Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
North American biomes and habitats
Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
Morning flight
Urban birding: habitats to target
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Wrens
Vireos
Swifts and swallows
Doves
Raptors
Fall warblers
ADVANCED BIRDING II
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Extinct species
Endangered and threatened species
Historical development of bird conservation movement
Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Global patterns of bird migration
Strategies employed by migrating birds
Transgulf and circumgulf migration
Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
BIRDING TIPS
History of recreational birding in North America
Personal notes and lists
Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
Bird photography- tips
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Flycatchers
Gulls
Shorebirds
Date: 6/23/26 6:39 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Oops- neglected to attach flier to last email. Here it is.
Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.
Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
University of Holy Cross
4123 Woodland Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504-398-2312 Direct
504-394-7744 Main
[cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
________________________________
From: <ALbirds...> <ALbirds...> on behalf of Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:32 PM
To: Albirds <albirds...>
Subject: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
AL Birders:
As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in the that order below.
Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3) Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last time. I have re-attache flier.
PY
BEGINNING BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Avian morphology- names of body parts I
Timing and patterns of moult
Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
Migration I- introduction
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Annual Cycle
Songs and calls
Territoriality
Types of nests
Mating systems, courtship
Brood parasites
Eggs, incubation, nestlings
Migration II- migratory dynamics
BIRDING TIPS
Binoculars, camera, scope
Clothing
Good birding vehicles
Hazards and dangers
Attracting to your yard
Online resources, books
Migration III- finding migrants
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Backyard birds I
Backyard birds II
Backyard birds III
Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
Beyond backyard (in town) II
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The process of identificationfield marks, giss, sex and age differences
Field mark nomenclature
Folding of wing and tail
Names of birds
Splitting and lumping
Use of 4-letter name codes
Flight
Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
Flocking patterns
Foraging behavior and terminology
Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
BIRDING TIPS
Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
How to find birds I
How to find birds II
Working weather to find birds
Assessing bird size in field
Counting birds
Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
Scientific names commonly used by birders
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
ADVANCED BIRDING I
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Feather structure and types
Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Range expansion and contraction
BIRDING TIPS
Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
Methods of expressing bird abundance
Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
North American biomes and habitats
Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
Morning flight
Urban birding: habitats to target
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Wrens
Vireos
Swifts and swallows
Doves
Raptors
Fall warblers
ADVANCED BIRDING II
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Extinct species
Endangered and threatened species
Historical development of bird conservation movement
Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Global patterns of bird migration
Strategies employed by migrating birds
Transgulf and circumgulf migration
Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
BIRDING TIPS
History of recreational birding in North America
Personal notes and lists
Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
Bird photography- tips
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Flycatchers
Gulls
Shorebirds
Date: 6/23/26 6:38 pm From: Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
Flier?
Bob Reed
COL US Army, Retired
334-283-5886 Home
334-207-0985 Mobile
On Tue, Jun 23, 2026 at 8:32 PM Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey=
<uhcno.edu...> wrote:
> AL Birders:
>
> As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses
> (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in
> the that order below.
>
> Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four
> categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3)
> Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour
> zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
>
> Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last
> time. I have re-attache flier.
>
> PY
>
>
>
> *BEGINNING BIRDING*
> *BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE*
> Avian morphology- names of body parts I
> Timing and patterns of moult
> Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
> Migration I- introduction
> *BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION*
> Annual Cycle
> Songs and calls
> Territoriality
> Types of nests
> Mating systems, courtship
> Brood parasites
> Eggs, incubation, nestlings
> Migration II- migratory dynamics
> *BIRDING TIPS*
> Binoculars, camera, scope
> Clothing
> Good birding vehicles
> Hazards and dangers
> Attracting to your yard
> Online resources, books
> Migration III- finding migrants
> *IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES*
> Backyard birds I
> Backyard birds II
> Backyard birds III
> Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
> Beyond backyard (in town) II
>
> *INTERMEDIATE BIRDING*
> *BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE*
> The process of identification—field marks, giss, sex and age differences
> Field mark nomenclature
> Folding of wing and tail
> Names of birds
> Splitting and lumping
> Use of 4-letter name codes
> Flight
> Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
> *BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION*
> Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
> Flocking patterns
> Foraging behavior and terminology
> Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
> Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
> *BIRDING TIPS*
> Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
> How to find birds I
> How to find birds II
> Working weather to find birds
> Assessing bird size in field
> Counting birds
> Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
> Scientific names commonly used by birders
> *IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES*
> Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
>
> *ADVANCED BIRDING I*
> *BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE*
> Feather structure and types
> Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
> Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
> *BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION*
> Range expansion and contraction
> *BIRDING TIPS*
> Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
> Methods of expressing bird abundance
> Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
> North American biomes and habitats
> Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
> Morning flight
> Urban birding: habitats to target
> *IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES*
> Wrens
> Vireos
> Swifts and swallows
> Doves
> Raptors
> Fall warblers
>
> *ADVANCED BIRDING II*
> *BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE*
> Extinct species
> Endangered and threatened species
> Historical development of bird conservation movement
> Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
> Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
> *BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION*
> Global patterns of bird migration
> Strategies employed by migrating birds
> Transgulf and circumgulf migration
> Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
> Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
> *BIRDING TIPS*
> History of recreational birding in North America
> Personal notes and lists
> Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
> Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
> Bird photography- tips
> *IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES*
> Flycatchers
> Gulls
> Shorebirds
>
>
> *Peter H. Yaukey, Ph.D.*
>
>
> *Departmental Chair and Professor of Biology *
>
> *Department of Biological and Physical Sciences*
>
> *University of Holy Cross*
>
> *4123 Woodland Drive*
>
> *New Orleans, LA 70131*
>
> *504-398-2312 Direct*
>
> *504-394-7744 Main*
>
>
>
> [image: cid:91D4B89B-2D58-4695-9437-0B7014880A72]
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/23/26 6:32 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: [ALbirds] topics for zoom birding courses
AL Birders:
As promised, here is a list of topics I cover in my four birding courses (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II). They are listed in the that order below.
Within each course, I have divided (loosely) content into four categories: 1) Biology and Appearance; 2) Behavior and Distribution; 3) Birding Tips; and 4) Identification of particular species. Each two hour zoom session has content from all four, given in that sequence.
Beginning Birding is starting this Sunday evening, as I indicated last time. I have re-attache flier.
PY
BEGINNING BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Avian morphology- names of body parts I
Timing and patterns of moult
Orders of birds in the Southeastern USA
Migration I- introduction
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Annual Cycle
Songs and calls
Territoriality
Types of nests
Mating systems, courtship
Brood parasites
Eggs, incubation, nestlings
Migration II- migratory dynamics
BIRDING TIPS
Binoculars, camera, scope
Clothing
Good birding vehicles
Hazards and dangers
Attracting to your yard
Online resources, books
Migration III- finding migrants
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Backyard birds I
Backyard birds II
Backyard birds III
Beyond the backyard (but in town) I
Beyond backyard (in town) II
INTERMEDIATE BIRDING
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
The process of identificationfield marks, giss, sex and age differences
Field mark nomenclature
Folding of wing and tail
Names of birds
Splitting and lumping
Use of 4-letter name codes
Flight
Sensory abilities- sight, sound, smell
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Nest vs roost, colonial, communal
Flocking patterns
Foraging behavior and terminology
Bird navigation- magnetism, sun, stars, etc
Introduced species- processes, impacts, local examples
BIRDING TIPS
Annual calendar (monthly highlights)
How to find birds I
How to find birds II
Working weather to find birds
Assessing bird size in field
Counting birds
Use of eBird (and limitations of eBird)
Scientific names commonly used by birders
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Identification of c. 75 common species (not covered in Beginning Birding)
ADVANCED BIRDING I
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Feather structure and types
Morphology- advanced wing feather terminology
Subspecies, hybrids, clines, morphs
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Range expansion and contraction
BIRDING TIPS
Organized counting efforts (Christmas Count, BBS, etc)
Methods of expressing bird abundance
Making eBird lists maximally useful to science
North American biomes and habitats
Famous birding areas SE USA, and in N America
Morning flight
Urban birding: habitats to target
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Wrens
Vireos
Swifts and swallows
Doves
Raptors
Fall warblers
ADVANCED BIRDING II
BIOLOGY AND APPEARANCE
Extinct species
Endangered and threatened species
Historical development of bird conservation movement
Refuge system, Important Bird Areas, etc
Scientific research methods- tracking, counting, capturing/ringing
BEHAVIOR AND DISTRIBUTION
Global patterns of bird migration
Strategies employed by migrating birds
Transgulf and circumgulf migration
Vagrancy- patterns and mechanisms
Attracting winter hummingbird vagrants
BIRDING TIPS
History of recreational birding in North America
Personal notes and lists
Submitting to bird record committees, making mistakes
Big Days and Years, twitching advice and terminology
Bird photography- tips
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES
Flycatchers
Gulls
Shorebirds
Date: 6/17/26 3:02 pm From: Yaukey, Peter via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: [ALbirds] offering zoom birding course
Hello AL Birders:
I will be offering my online (Zoom) Beginning Birding Course, through the Orleans Audubon Society, starting in two Sundays from now, on June 28. We will zoom on Sunday evenings from 7-9 PM for five consecutive Sundays. I will be recording each zoom session and posting on YouTube, to which the class will have private access.
This is the first in a four course series (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced I and Advanced II) that I have taught through three times previously for Orleans Audubon. The courses are designed to focus on birding in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
Registration is $100. If you have already taken this course with me, you can re-take it for only $50. If you took a previous version of it that had a field component, roughly half the content of this course will be new to you (we will cover more in lecture to make up for lack of field time).
See the attached flier for registration details.
In the near future, I will post a topic list for all four courses so that people who are interested in particular topics can see when those topics might be covered.
Good birding,
Date: 6/14/26 11:16 am From: Greg D. Jackson via groups.io <g_d_jackson...> Subject: [ALbirds] Sad news -- addendum
AL Birders:
Since relaying the post Friday about the passing of Dr. Ken Marion, I learned that his wife, Vicki, wished to add more possible donation sites in lieu of flowers:
From: Greg D Jackson <g_d_jackson...>
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2026 2:51 PM
To: '<ALbirds...>' <ALbirds...>
Subject: FW: sad news
AL Birders:
Just received these sad tidings about long-time Alabama birder Dr. Ken Marion, well known to many in AOS.
Greg
Greg D. Jackson
Birmingham, AL
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our friend, avid birder, fisher, and herpetologist Dr. Ken Marion passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday morning. Ken was a longtime contributor to Birmingham Audubon/Alabama Audubon, serving various capacities on the Board. It was on Ken’s recommendation that I joined the Board. Although he stepped away from Board service a couple of years ago, he remained active with the organization as a valued reviewer of the Walter J. Coxe proposals. He had formally retired from UAB’s Biology Department and was granted emeritus distinction in 2011, but he never really stepped away, remaining a genuine and active part of Biology's teaching and research missions right to the end. His departmental office is right next to mine and post-retirement he would be in many days of the week, even weekends – usually to feed crickets to his lab’s array of herps.
Ken's wife, Vicki, has shared a few wishes. There will likely not be a formal funeral, but she is considering options for a gathering to celebrate Ken's life and memory in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, she has asked that those who wish to honor him consider a gift to one of two scholarships established in his name at UAB in support of our students:
* The Ken R. Marion Endowed Scholarship — for students who demonstrate promise and commitment in pursuing a career in some aspect of ecology or environmental science.
* The Ken R. Marion Scholar Awards — for students who demonstrate promise and commitment in pursuing teaching and/or research in biology as a career.
It may take the UAB Development Office some time to set up the mechanics of this memorial gifting. I will share details, once available, in a follow-up message.
Do feel free to share this with others you think would want to know.”
Date: 6/12/26 12:50 pm From: Greg D. Jackson via groups.io <g_d_jackson...> Subject: [ALbirds] FW: sad news
AL Birders:
Just received these sad tidings about long-time Alabama birder Dr. Ken Marion, well known to many in AOS.
Greg
Greg D. Jackson
Birmingham, AL
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our friend, avid birder, fisher, and herpetologist Dr. Ken Marion passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday morning. Ken was a longtime contributor to Birmingham Audubon/Alabama Audubon, serving various capacities on the Board. It was on Ken’s recommendation that I joined the Board. Although he stepped away from Board service a couple of years ago, he remained active with the organization as a valued reviewer of the Walter J. Coxe proposals. He had formally retired from UAB’s Biology Department and was granted emeritus distinction in 2011, but he never really stepped away, remaining a genuine and active part of Biology's teaching and research missions right to the end. His departmental office is right next to mine and post-retirement he would be in many days of the week, even weekends – usually to feed crickets to his lab’s array of herps.
Ken's wife, Vicki, has shared a few wishes. There will likely not be a formal funeral, but she is considering options for a gathering to celebrate Ken's life and memory in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, she has asked that those who wish to honor him consider a gift to one of two scholarships established in his name at UAB in support of our students:
* The Ken R. Marion Endowed Scholarship — for students who demonstrate promise and commitment in pursuing a career in some aspect of ecology or environmental science.
* The Ken R. Marion Scholar Awards — for students who demonstrate promise and commitment in pursuing teaching and/or research in biology as a career.
It may take the UAB Development Office some time to set up the mechanics of this memorial gifting. I will share details, once available, in a follow-up message.
Do feel free to share this with others you think would want to know.”
Date: 6/12/26 6:49 am From: Greg D. Jackson via groups.io <g_d_jackson...> Subject: [ALbirds] Shorebird identification help now available on AOS website
AL Birders,
Over the last year, AOS has been working to provide access to educational
materials about birds and birding. We've just added a great resource on
shorebird identification by past-president Drew Haffenden. This is based on
a previous online talk beautifully illustrated by Drew's photographs. He has
recently added extensive comments to the slides which share his experience
on the most important factors for shorebird ID in general, then what is best
to observe for each species. The material will be helpful to birders of any
level of experience. This annotated PDF is available for free download at:
When on that page, take a look at the other offerings, which include
detailed presentations on how to identify terns and vireos, as well as a
extensive set of videos on birding by Geoff Hill. And browse around the
whole website, which was artfully redesigned this year by Joe Watts.
Thank you, Drew, for creating and sharing this excellent birding resource!
