Ornithology is the branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds, covering their behavior, physiology, taxonomy, ecology and conservation across every avian order.
Facts
Founded YearMarks the founding of the British Ornithologists' Union, the year ornithology's Victorian-era formalization into a professional scientific discipline is generally dated to; the observational study of birds is far older, and some scholars trace scientific ornithology to Francis Willughby and John Ray's 17th-century work. Central QuestionHow do birds navigate across thousands of kilometers of seasonal migration with the accuracy observed, and what does that navigational ability reveal about sensory capacities, such as magnetic field detection, not shared by most other animals? 1 ScopeOrnithology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of birds, covering their anatomy, physiology, behavior, migration, taxonomy and conservation. 1 SignificanceFrancis Willughby and John Ray's Ornithologiae libri tres, published in 1676, classified birds by physical characteristics rather than by folklore or usefulness to humans, a systematic approach that is generally credited with founding scientific ornithology. 1 Connections
Founded By
Source Francis Willughby (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Ornithology (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead section
is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds
History section
The history of ornithology largely reflects the trends in the history of biology, as well as many other scientific disciplines, including ecology, anatomy, physiology, paleontology, and more recently, molecular biology.
View the Source Francis Willughby (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFounded By: Francis Willughby, Birds sectionQuote, Founded By: Francis Willughby, Birds section
Willughby's Ornithology was intended to describe all the then-known birds worldwide.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.