Great courses (DVD)

"Course No. 7814"--Container

In their astonishing physiology and behavior, birds are among the most ingenious and resourceful of animals, and a marvel of our natural world. In these 12 lectures, you'll discover the remarkable beneath-the-surface world of birds: their evolution, underlying science, and fascinating lives in the wild, through key subject matter such as: The Miracle of Flight-Learn how a bird's wings operate as an airfoil, producing lift, thrust, and drag, and how feathers allow birds to maneuver expertly in the air; The Science of Avian Navigation and Migration-Penetrate the mysteries of how birds navigate over vast distances, using aids such as Sun and star positions and magnetic fields, and witness the fabulous range of birds' migratory behavior across the globe; The Amazing Brainpower of Birds-Observe how different species can distinguish shapes, colors, and numbers; remember 2,000 seed cache locations; start fires to flush out prey; make hooks to catch food; tie slip knots; and, believe it or not, differentiate between visual styles such as Cubism and Impressionism; Territoriality and Competition-See how birds stand their ground using specific visual signals regarding threats, courtship, territorial defense, and predators; learn the many ways birds stake out and defend territory, including group and "portable" territories; and note how non-territorial birds establish dominance hierarchies; and The Avian Arts of Love: Mating and Breeding-Observe how females judge potential mates on abilities such as virtuoso singing, "macho" feats, food offerings, and outlandish courtship displays. Note the colorful variations of sex roles, role reversal, same-sex couples, and avian "infidelity" and "divorce." Accompanied by vivid color images and video clips of bird behavior, The Scientific Wonder of Birds unfolds as a thrilling panorama of avian life. These delightful lectures offer you remarkable insight into some of the most beautiful and extraordinary of living creatures

12 lectures (30 min. each)

Professor Bruce E. Fleury, lecturer

DVD

Closed-captioned for the hearing impaired

Disc 1.

Birds and dinosaurs: the origin of flight -- Birds and Boeings: the magic of flight -- Burning bright: avian adaptations for flight -- Orientation, navigation, migration: bird road trips -- Bird brains: tool wielders and snack stealers -- Birds of a feather: flocking and foraging.

Disc 2.

Avian turf wars: defending a territory -- Bird songs and calls: music with a message -- Avian mating: lady's choice -- Avian mating: singles bars and bachelor pads -- Nests and eggs: a home in the sticks -- Parental care: bird family and friends