Zoology is a wide branch of science dealing with study of all kinds of animals and insects of all shapes. While we already learnt a little about insects in Entomology post in the A-Z Blogging Challenge, today we will learn more about Ornithology, i.e, the study of birds.
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O for Ornithology.
Everything, from studying birds in their natural habitat, through bird watching to observing their behavioral pattern and also the sounds they make comes under Ornithology. Ornithologists classify and categorize data by observation and also collecting bird skin and blood for scientific purposes. Bird blood is analysed to check for any pathogens or viruses, which can come in handy during the season of bird flu and the likes.
Birds picked up for studies are generally tagged and coded and data is updated, after regular checks.
Bird data is collected and stored at curated repositories where different bird specimens and parts are stored for studies and also as museums for people to visit and learn about. Natural History Museums come under this category.
Bird Collection museum Storage
The study of bird eggs is a study in itself called Oology, which is a branch of Ornithology.
Oology – Eggs of varied shapes
Did you know that the shape of the egg depends on the mother and her ability to fly? Did you know the colour of the eggs is because of the mother bird’s diet?
The birds which are more apt to fly at high altitudes tend to produce elliptical eggs, where as birds like ostrich which can’t fly lay spherical (almost ball shaped) eggs. The only exception to this theory is the penguin, which only walks/runs on snow and ice, lays elliptical eggs. Ornithologists presume that, the elliptical shape of penguin egg may be due to its ability to swim in water!
Isn’t it interesting how, ostrich and penguin which can’t fly, are birds, whereas bats which fly, are not! Wait, bats are not birds? They can fly, yes, but they don’t lay eggs like birds, but give birth to young ones. (Birds are safe from the blame of COVID crisis! Mammals, we blame you!)
Interested in learning more about birds? Then go ahead and begin the study of Ornithology!
P.S:
- The other hobbies starting with an O are the Japanese art of paper folding called Origami and Opera!
- When you think of Ornithology, it is very difficult not to remember Salim Ali, who is synonymous to ornithology in India. The Tamil movie, directed by Shankar, 2.0, starring Rajnikanth and Amy Jackson where Akshay Kumar plays the villain who has a soft spot for birds is actually based on the Bird Man of India, Salim Ali. The movie sucked big time, thanks to glaring loop holes in the story. Thanks but no thanks!
- Cell towers and aeroplanes are hazards birds face on a day to day basis. Did you know birds can’t see glass objects like windows?
- Even though I am posting about some important topics, I am not going too deep into the subject, as I want them to be easy to understand. Feel free to dig deeper if I could pique your interest. Till the next post, adios amigos!
