Birds have always been one of the most important and charismatic study groups for ecology, evolution, and conservation. This course will cover all aspects of avian biology and diversity through lectures, labs and field trips. We will use museum specimens, field excursions, and multimedia to explore the fascinating, beautiful, and bizarre world of birds. By the end of the class you will have a strong familiarity with avian global diversity as well as Michigan’s local avifauna, a deeper understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes as illuminated by a long tradition of avian research, and a practical toolkit for studying birds and other animals in the field and lab.