Birds are the most diverse vertebrates found on the earth's landmasses. We will explore the causes of this incredible diversity through a well-rounded understanding of general bird biology, the evolution of flight (and its implications), and the complex ecological interactions of birds with their environments. In this intensive field-based program, students will be expected to develop strong bird identification skills and will learn a variety of field and analytical techniques currently used in bird monitoring and research. We will take several day trips to field sites in the Puget Sound region throughout the quarter to hone our bird-watching skills and practice field-monitoring techniques.

Students will implement their field knowledge during a mandatory 15-day field trip to the Mississippi Flyway and the US Gulf Coast during spring migration. On this trip, we will visit important stopover sites along the coast. We will also conduct an intensive survey of bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps and wetlands from Louisiana to Florida. The data we collect on this trip will be used in a variety of monitoring and research projects.