The New School of Birding, Module 4: Bird Taxonomy and Population Dynamics

We are pleased to announce Bird Taxonomy and Population Dynamics, the fourth module of The New School of Birding, taught by expert bird nerds Dan van den Broek and Candace Larson. (Participation in previous modules is not required.)

Birds have been evolving since the Jurassic Era, and now comprise about 10,000 separate species across the globe, a number that varies considerably depending on who is doing the counting! Birds hybridize and speciate, compete and cooperate, thrive and go extinct. And our decisions about how we sort, classify and name the birds around us deeply impacts our relationship to birds and birding, and affects our conservation efforts as well.

In this module, we’ll investigate bird origins and the evolving science of taxonomy, dive into the promise and perils of bird naming systems, and investigate how bird distribution and populations change over time. We’ll also profile several of Oregon’s most imperiled species and how you can support their recovery. Along the way, we’ll practice our birding skills in the field, with a focus on winter residents and seabirds.

The New School of Birding is designed to build both birding skills and a deeper understanding of the ecology and biology of the birds all around us. Each module of this exciting, interactive program includes six virtual class sessions and three field trips, focusing on a different feature of bird biology, plus tips, tricks, and practice with field identification, all provided in a small class format through a combination of lecture, online quizzes, helpful handouts, live interaction with your instructors, and extensive field time.

We hope you’ll join us on this exciting journey!