The European Anatidae - An Easy Method of Identifying Swans, Geese and Ducks

Ornithology

Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Etymologovy, the word ‘ornithology’ derives from the ancient Greek ὄρνις ornis (bird) and λόγος logos (rationale or explanation). The science of ornithology has a long history and studies on birds have helped develop several key concepts in evolution, behaviour and ecology such as the definition of species, the process of speciation, instinct, learning, ecological niches and conservation. Whilst early ornithology was principally concerned with descriptions and distributions of species, ornithologists today seek answers to very specific questions, often using birds as models to test hypotheses or predictions based on theories. However, most modern biological theories apply across taxonomic groups, and consequently, the number of professional scientists who identify themselves as ‘ornithologists’ has declined. That this specific science has become part of the biological mainstream though, is in itself a testament to the field’s importance.

Humans observed birds from the earliest times, and Stone Age drawings are among the oldest indications of an interest