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Course of General Ornithology; the lectures cover general and comparative aspects of avian morphology, physiology, ecology, and behaviour. Descent of Birds; Genesis of Avian Flight; Cretaceous Birds; Avian Morphology: Feathers, Skeleton, Muscles, and Others; Flight Aerodynamics; Mechanics of Terrestrial and Aquatic Locomotion; Avian Chronobiology; Temperature Regulation; Water Economy; Song and Vocal Communication; Avian Vision, Hearing, and Other Senses; Avian Cognition; Migrations and Navigation; Social Behaviour and Mating Systems; Reproduction, Parental Care, and Development; Antipredator Strategies; Foraging and Diets; History of Avian Taxonomy; Contemporary Phylogenetic Hypotheses and Elementary Bird Taxa; Biogeography. Please note that lectures are given in Czech language. English version of the course can be requested in advance if there are at least 5 students.
Last update: Exnerová Alice, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (24.08.2026)
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Gill F. B. 2007: Ornithology. W. H. Freeman and Company. New York.
Gill F. B. & Prum R. O. 2019: Ornithology. W. H. Freeman and Company. New York. Feduccia A. 1996: The Origin and Evolution of Birds. Yale Univ. Press. New Haven and London. Del Hoyo J., Elliot A., Sargatal J. 1992-2002. Handbook of the birds of the world. Volumes 1 - 7. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona. Del Hoyo J., Elliot A., Christie D. 2003-2011. Handbook of the birds of the world. Volumes 8 - 16. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona. Last update: Exnerová Alice, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (24.08.2026)
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Zkouška je ústní; rozsah požadovaných znalostí je dán rozsahem přednášky. Studenti mohou využít také doporučenou literaturu. Last update: Exnerová Alice, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (24.08.2026)
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(1) Origin and evolution of birds; evolution of avian flight;
(2) Feathers; feather coloration; (3) Anatomy and morphology, morphological characters and phylogeny of avian taxa; (4) Flight, and other modes of locomotion; (5) Circadian an circannual rhythms; thermoregulation; (6) Acoustic communication of birds; (7) Avian sensory systems; (8) Behaviour and cognition; (8) Migration and navigation; (9) Reproduction and social behaviour of birds; (10) Parental care and development; (11) Food and foraging; (12) Antipredatory strateties; (13) Historical survey of avian taxonomy; (14) Current phylogenetic hypotheses and elementary taxa; (15) Avian biogeography Last update: Exnerová Alice, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (24.08.2026)
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After completing the course, students are able to explain the origin of birds and the main theories of the evolution of bird flight with reference to fossil records, interpret the historical development of avian taxonomy, and compare current phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular and morphological data. They can describe specific adaptations of birds to flight, particularly in terms of skeletal morphology, musculature, and plumage structure, explain the physical principles of bird flight, and analyse the differences between various types of flight. Students are able to explain the physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in birds, analyse the function of bird sensory systems and their importance for orientation and survival in the environment. They are able to evaluate the cognitive abilities of birds and give examples of complex behaviour, such as tool use or advanced problem solving. Students can explain the mechanisms of bird migration and navigation, including factors influencing long-distance movements. They can also classify bird reproductive systems, types of parental care, and development of juveniles (nidicolous vs. nidifugous), and characterize bird foraging strategies and specializations depending on ecological niche. Overall, students are able to synthesize knowledge of bird anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour into a comprehensive view and discuss the adaptive significance of specific avian traits. Last update: Rubešová Jana, RNDr., Ph.D. (04.05.2026)
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| The course does not include work placement |