Ornithology 3B Summary
If you miss a class, please check this page and study the listed topics in your field guide. For last year's
calendar, click here.
May 24
We completed and reviewed the bulbuls and starlings on page 366.
This was the last class of the semester. Please preregister if you plan to enroll in the
Fall. Click here for details.
May 10
We completed and reviewed the thrashers on page 364. Click here
for photos of a Sage Thrashers in Montara. My Mariposa County Sage Thrasher photos and notes are here
and here. Click here
for a photo of a Bendire's Thrasher in California along with notes on identification. Click here,
here, and here
for photos of Curve-billed Thrashers in California. Click here
for my photo and notes on a Curve-billed Thrasher in Texas. Click here
for my photo and notes on a California Thrasher.
There is no class next week. The final class will be Thursday, May 24.
May 3
We completed and reviewed the mockingbirds and thrashers on page 362. Click here,
here and here
for photos of Gray Catbirds in California and here for
a photo and my notes on a Gray Catbird at Moss Beach. Click here
for my photo of a Northern Mockingbird in Texas. Click here
for photos and discussion of the Blue Mockingbird in Long Beach. Click here,
here and here
for photos of Brown Thrasher in California. Click here
and here for my photos of Long-billed
Thrasher in Texas.
Click here for alternate routes to the Briones
field trip. Click here for revised directions.
April 26
We completed and reviewed the robins and thrushes on page 360. Click here
for photos of a Rufous-backed Robin at the Salton Sea. Click here
for my photo of a Clay-colored Robin in Texas. Click here
for a photo of an Aztec Thrush in Arizona. See March 29 for link to the problematic Western Bluebird.
April 19
We completed and reviewed the thrushes on page 358. Click here
for photos and details on an Eyebrowed Thrush in California.
April 12
We completed and reviewed the thrushes on page 356. Click here,
here, & here
for photos of Wood Thrushes in California. Click here
for a video of a Wood Thrush in San Francisco. Click here
for photos and my notes on a controversial Veery at Point Reyes.
March 29
We completed and reviewed the Old World Flycatchers on page 350 and the thrushes and bluebirds on pages 352
& 354. Click here for photos of
the Taiga Flycatcher at Putah Creek. Click here for a
photo and link to my detailed notes on a Northern Wheatear in Sonoma County. Click here
for discussion and photo of a problematic female Western Bluebird. Click here,
here and here
for my photos of male Western Bluebirds. Click here
for my photo of a male Mountain Bluebird.
There is no class next week because of Spring Break. Class resumes Tuesday, April 12.
March 22
We completed and reviewed the Old World Warblers on page 348. Click here
for a full article with photos on the Lanceolated Warbler on the Farallons. Click here
for an article with photos on the identification of Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler. Click here
for photos and my notes on a Dusky Warbler in Santa Cruz and click here
for photos of a Dusky Warbler in California City. Click here
for a photo of an Arctic Warbler from the Farallons and click here
for photos of an Arctic Warbler at Oceano. Photos of Dusky and Arctic warblers at Big Sur are here.
This was the last class of the quarter. Please click here to register for part B. Course numbers, dates and descriptions are here.
March 15
We completed and reviewed the dipper, kinglets and gnatcatchers on pages 344 & 346. Click here
for a photo of a Black-capped Gnatcatcher in Arizona.
March 8
We completed and reviewed the wrens on page 344. Click here
for my photos and notes on a Rock Wren in Mariposa County. Click here
for a photo and discussion on a Marsh Wren showing a streaked crown. Click here
for Kroodsma's paper in "The Condor" describing vocal differences and isolation between the eastern and
western populations of Marsh Wren. Click here and
here for photos, a sound recording and my notes on Sedge
Wrens in South San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. Click here
for a photo of a Sedge Wren in Goleta
March 1
We completed and reviewed the wrens on page 342. Click here
for a photo and discussion of a House Wren.
February 22
We completed and reviewed the creepers and nuthatches on page 340.
February 15
We completed and reviewed the chickadees, verdin and bushtit on pages 336 & 338. Click here
for additional information on distinguishing Black-capped and Carolina chickadees.
February 8
We completed and reviewed the wrentit and titmice on page 334. Click here
for photos and discussion of possible hybrid Oak X Juniper titmice at Lava Beds N. M. Click here
for my photo of a Black-crested Titmouse in Texas.