DESCRIPTION: The focus of this event is avian ecology. Students will be expected to understand how birds interact within their populations and how they relate to their environment. This involves identification skills together with knowledge of behavior and habitat. Students will be expected to identify birds by sight, vocalizations, characteristic behavior or adaptive characteristics. The species are limited to those shown on the list below for the national competition. States will provide their own more limited lists which will include an appropriate subset of species from the national list and may include additional species. These lists are based on the Checklist of American Birds, published by the American Ornithologists’ Union in 1998. A musical note   indicates those species for which knowledge of vocalization is required. B Division students will identify birds by common names only whereas C Division students must identify birds by common names and genus and species. The ecology questions may pertain to any ecological aspect of the species, including behavior, habitat, niche, symbiotic relationships, trophic level, adaptive anatomy such as bill size and shape, migration, distribution or occurrence (rare, common, special concern, endangered.) Both intraspecific and interspecific behavior may be addressed.         

THE COMPETITION:        A TEAM OF UP TO: 2            APPPROX. TIME: 50 minutes

The format for the event may involve rotations from station to station, or projection of slides or computer images. Vocalizations may be played to the whole group or set up on separate players with headphones. Questions will require knowledge of ecological aspects of a species and may also involve identification of the species. The species names on the list are the only correct answers to the identification questions. (Note that reference materials dated earlier than 1998 may not have the currently accepted names.)  Most ecology questions will involve evaluation.  C Division students will be expected to do more in-depth evaluations than B Division students. Students are permitted to bring and use hard copy reference publications, identification keys and guides and self-developed resources. Students may NOT use electronic devices. The event supervisor will provide no resources.

SCORING:

In the competition as a whole, the ecology aspects will be worth more points than the identifications. Incorrectly spelled identifications will receive only half credit. Tie breaker questions will be included.

EXAMPLES:

1) Vocalization: "bee-buzz" a) Identify this species. b) For what food resource is this species adapted? Answer: a) blue-winged warbler (B Div.) also genus and species (C Div.) b) insects

2) Picture: Osprey a) What is the primary food source for these birds? b)Why did DDT reduce populations of this species but not the plankton in its food chain? Answer: a) Fish (b) Toxins concentrate at each higher trophic level, and Ospreys are at the top of the food chain.

3) Vocalization: "konk-a-ree" a) Identify this species. b) Where would this species build its nest and raise its young? Select all that apply. i. Wetlands ii. Fallow Fields iii. Suburban Back Yards iv. Eastern Deciduous Forests v. None of the above. Answer: a) red-winged blackbird (B Div.) also genus and species (C Div.) b) both i. and ii. (C Div.) (B Div. would have a shorter list with only one correct answer.)                                                                                          7/01

REFERENCES: See http:/ www.battaly.com/so/birds for a list of resources.

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