Bird Watching: Food, Feeders and Behavior

Discover the Secrets of Feathered Friends: Nourish, Attract, Observe!

Bird Watching: Food, Feeders and Behavior

Discover the Secrets of Feathered Friends: Nourish, Attract, Observe!

Step into a realm where your everyday stroll transforms into an awe-inspiring journey through the vibrant world of birds. This course isn't just about naming feathers and beaks; it's a pivotal gateway to understanding the symphony of life right outside your window. Imagine spotting a rare migratory bird, one you would have overlooked without the insights this course provides. Every lesson takes you deeper, arming you with skills to attract, nurture, and protect these avian wonders. You'll emerge not only as a passionate birder but as a guardian of nature's delicate balance. Feel the pulse of life anew--enroll now, and unlock the secrets that make each morning sing. Your adventure in bird watching starts here.

Self Paced • Online Class • Accredited CEUs

$120

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1,366 Students have taken this course

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OVERVIEW

CURRICULUM

Bird Watching: Food, Feeders and Behavior

CRN: 8900278

Lesson 1. Connecting Generations Through a Shared Love of Birds

Bird watching connects us to nature's beauty and complexity, evolving from a niche hobby to a global activity embraced by millions. This pastime offers joy, discovery, and a peaceful alternative to traditional hunting, encouraging a deeper curiosity about the natural world.

Lesson 2. Backyard Birding: Inviting Nature to Your Doorstep

From backyards to bustling cities, bird watching is about connecting with the natural world regardless of location. With simple adjustments to your surroundings, such as installing bird feeders and baths, you can attract and observe birds anywhere, adapting the experience to your environment.

Lesson 3. Bird Watching Basics

Binoculars and field guides are foundational tools in bird watching, greatly enhancing the ability to spot and understand a variety of bird species. Understanding factors such as magnification, light entry, and comfort allows enthusiasts to appreciate birds' beauty without compromise.

Lesson 4. Nourishing Nature: How to Transform Your Yard into a Bird Buffet

Choosing the right bird food can turn your backyard into a vibrant aviary, inviting colorful species like cardinals and orioles to visit. Through understanding their dietary needs, you provide a sanctuary that not only supports wildlife but also brings natural beauty and joy to your life.

Lesson 5. Welcoming Birds: The Art of Feeder and Bird Bath Placement

Attract a host of colorful bird species to your yard by installing varied bird feeders including platform, hopper, tube, and nectar feeders, each suited for different avian preferences and needs. Complement these with a textured bird bath positioned near foliage for a refreshing and safe spot for birds to bathe and hydrate.

Lesson 6. Building Bird Neighborhoods

Purple martins, loving communal living, require unique 'apartment-style' birdhouses placed high and open to thrive. Observing multigenerational colonies adds a dynamic, social element to bird-watching in your backyard.

Lesson 7. The Art and Science of Bird Identification: Beyond Feathers and Flight

Exploring bird diversity encourages observers to focus on unique identifiers such as family features, color, behavior, and song, easing the challenge of identifying various species. Grasping the role of location, size, and habitat preferences in bird life adds depth to the joy of nature's avian tapestry.

Lesson 8. Seasonal Avian Adventures

Bird watching transforms with each season, revealing distinct phases of avian life cycles like migration and mating. Adapting to these natural rhythms enriches your experience, making bird watching a year-long pursuit filled with wonder.

Lesson 9. Responding to Bird Crises with Care and Expertise

Fledgling birds often seem abandoned but usually have nearby parents; the best action is observation unless the bird is injured or in danger. Intervention is sometimes needed if the bird is at risk from predators or has a fallen nest.

Lesson 10. Beyond the Binoculars: Expanding Your Birdwatching Experience

Specialty birding organizations like The Hummingbird Society and The North American Bluebird Society focus on conservation efforts and provide resources for attracting specific bird species. Their dedicated work ensures the protection and understanding of unique avian types for enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

Lesson 11. Feathers, Flights, and Feasts: Unveiling the Avian Mysteries

Avoid using metal feeders in cold climates to prevent harm to birds, opting for safer options like wood or plastic. Providing nuts at night can attract nocturnal species like flying squirrels, adding unexpected excitement to bird watching.

In This Course

5 Hours average completion time
0.5 CEUs
11 Lessons
34 Exams & Assignments
165 Discussions
11 Videos
14 Reference Files
Mobile Friendly
Last Updated March 2024

Description

Imagine stepping into your backyard and suddenly becoming aware of a whole world you never fully noticed before--a world alive with color, song, and movement. From the flicker of a Blue Jay's wing to the soft trill of a Chickadee, bird watching transforms even the most ordinary day into something magical. This course will open your eyes to that world, but more importantly, it will show you how to connect with it in ways that are deeply meaningful, exciting, and life-enriching.

This isn't just another course on bird watching; it's a journey into the heart of nature, one that will forever change how you see your surroundings. Whether you're simply curious or already passionate about birds, you'll find that this course is designed to make every moment of observation more rewarding and insightful. What sets this course apart is its deeply personal approach--it's not about memorizing bird species; it's about experiencing them. It's about understanding the delicate ecosystems birds thrive in and how your actions can positively contribute to their survival and well-being.

As you progress through the course, you'll learn not only how to identify birds by sight and song but also how to attract them, feed them properly, and create a sanctuary that invites more feathered friends into your life. You'll uncover the secrets of bird behavior--why they migrate, how they choose their nesting spots, and even the unique ways they communicate with one another. By the end, you'll be able to predict when certain species will arrive and notice the subtle seasonal changes that trigger their behaviors.

But beyond the technical knowledge, this course offers something even more transformative: a deeper connection to the natural world. It's about finding peace in the simple act of watching a bird bathe in a birdbath or marveling at the resilience of migratory species. You'll walk away not just with new skills, but with a sense of purpose, knowing you can make a tangible difference in supporting local wildlife.

Ready to take your place in the wonderful world of bird watching? This course is your gateway--an opportunity not just to observe nature but to truly understand and appreciate it. Sign up today, and let's make your world a little more vibrant, one bird at a time.

Skills You'll Develop

Positioning feeders and baths effectively
Contributing to local wildlife conservation
Improved bird identification skills
Recognizing seasonal bird activity
Understanding bird behavior and migration
Protecting and aiding birds in crises
Selecting appropriate bird foods
Engaging with birding communities
Creating bird-friendly environments

Skills You'll Develop

Positioning feeders and baths effectively
Contributing to local wildlife conservation
Improved bird identification skills
Recognizing seasonal bird activity
Understanding bird behavior and migration
Protecting and aiding birds in crises
Selecting appropriate bird foods
Engaging with birding communities
Creating bird-friendly environments

More About This Course

Connect Deeply with Nature: Cultivate a serene, meaningful connection to wildlife.
Expand Your Knowledge: Delve into bird migration, nesting, and more.
Enhance Your Observation Skills: Grow your insight on avian behavior.
Preserve Ecosystems: Learn to positively impact bird habitats.
Interactive Learning Experience: Engage in lessons thoughtfully designed for nature lovers.
Join a Global Community: Become part of a worldwide bird-watching community.
Transform Your Surroundings: Turn your yard into a bird sanctuary.
Foster Wildlife Support: Actively contribute to bird conservation efforts.
Year-Round Enjoyment: Experience bird watching through all seasons.
Step Into a World of Wonder: Discover vibrant birdlife in your backyard.
Master Bird Identification: Enhance skills to identify unique species.

What You'll Achieve

Demonstrate the ability to contribute to citizen science projects by accurately recording and reporting bird observations during events like the Christmas Bird Count.
Recognize different species of birds using visual and auditory clues by engaging with a field guide during bird watching activities.
Demonstrate methods to create a bird-friendly environment at home to attract a variety of bird species.
Recognize different bird species in various environments by observing their behavior and habitats.
Use a field guide to accurately classify at least five bird species observed, noting their distinguishing characteristics and behaviors.
Identify and describe the key features of a suitable pair of binoculars for bird watching, including magnification and lens diameter.
Demonstrate how to create a homemade bird feeder using pinecones and peanut butter to engage in bird-watching activities.
Identify three types of bird food and the species they attract to tailor your backyard feeding strategy.
Demonstrate how proper placement of bird feeders and baths enhances bird safety and increases diversity in a backyard environment.
Identify and explain two different types of bird feeders and their specific benefits for attracting various bird species.
Identify specific preferences of different bird species regarding birdhouse design and placement, and implement these specifications to effectively attract desired species.
Recognize the importance of providing nesting spaces for cavity-nesting birds and how it contributes to their survival amidst declining natural habitats.
Identify and categorize birds by observing distinct family traits, behavior, and field markings in a natural setting.