Annexure CD 01

FORMAT FOR COURSE CURRICULUM

Course Title: BIRD WATCHING
Course Code:
Credit Units: 2
Course O!e"ti#es:
This course will engage students in the world of birds and birdwatching with an emphasis on birds in the Delhi NCR area. Topics covered will vary by modules,
but will include basic and intermediate techniques for observing and identifying birds in the field. There will be a required field component.
$re%re&uisites:
Student Le'rnin( Out"o)es:
Students will be able to
!. "dentify and Recogni#e common species of $irds in Delhi NCR area and as well as $irds of Northern "ndia.
%. Demonstrate a basic understanding of one or more topics related to bird behavior, life history or diversity of habitat.
Course Contents*S+ll'us:
Wei(,t'(e -./
Module I Introdu"tion to Birds 01.
L T $*S SW*F
W
TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS
! & & % %
Des"ri2tors*To2i"s
'natomical characteristics. 'daptations for (light. Digestive and )*cretory systems. Nervous, sensory and respiratory adaptations for flight and
feeding. +arental care. ,igration. Survival strategies. (eeding habits and strategies. Songs. ,ating. $rood parasites. Nesting behaviour and nest
types. )ggs, chic-s and their development. Development and care of the young. "nteraction with other birds and animals, relationship with
habitats and plants, symbiotic relationships. .eneral global conservation issues for birds/ Specific issues for in "ndian conte*t and against a
global bac-ground, conservation status of species.

Module II Identi3i"'tion 'nd Cl'ssi3i"'tion o3 Birds 24.
Des"ri2tors*To2i"s
+lace in ta*onomical conte*t
"dentification features of groups and species.
'vian nomenclature.
Signs
(light patterns 0soaring, gliding, hovering and wind hovering,
undulating flight, stoop, energy, spiralling1 under2wing recognition 0of all raptors1.
Spoor 0identification of conspicuous spoor1.
(eathers 0identification of conspicuous feathers found in the field1.
Sounds
$irds in general and ecological conte*t.
Module III Distriution o3 Birds 21.
Des"ri2tors*To2i"s
Distribution 0all habitats1
3idely distributed species and migratory species.
)ndangered, )ndemics and near endemics birds.
Rarities and specials, abundance of species in area.
Territories and home ranges 0e*plain these concepts with e*amples from the region1.
,igration and seasonal movements, present theories on migration.
Module I5 Birdin( E&ui2)ent 'nd Str'te(ies 64.
Des"ri2tors*To2i"s
$irding equipment2 binoculars, telescopes, tape recorders and players, CD2Rom etc.
$irding ethics2 awareness of environmental impact, twitching 0ethics of tic-ing birds for life lists1, calling up birds with tapes, ringing,
population control strategies.
$irding strategies2 location of most li-ely habitats, hotspots and sta-e outs.
$ed'(o(+ 3or Course Deli#er+:
!. Class sessions will include identification qui##es for practice with field guides
%. .uest spea-ers will present on topics related to birds and birding
4. $irding wal-s will be required to better acquaint students with the birds of Delhi and how to observe and identify them in the field
67 L'* $r'"ti"'ls det'ils8 i3 '22li"'le:
Field Tri2s
!. (ield trip to Delhi 5oological +ar- for initial awareness about birds.
%. (ield trip to nearest par- 6 urban forest patch for bird census techniques.
4. (ield trip to wetland for waterfowl and migratory species count.
7. (ield trip to bird sanctuary for identification of common birds of Delhi NCR.
Assess)ent* E9')in'tion S",e)e:
T,eor+ L*T -./ L'*$r'"ti"'l*Studio -./ End Ter) E9')in'tion
61 . 21 :1 .
T,eor+ Assess)ent -L;T/:
Continuous Assess)ent*Intern'l Assess)ent End Ter) E9')in'tion
Co)2onents -Dro2 do<n/ Cl'ss Test Ho)e Assi(n)ent $resent'tion Attend'n"e
Wei(,t'(e -./ !& !& 8 &8 9&
L'* $r'"ti"'l* Studio Assess)ent:
Continuous Assess)ent*Intern'l Assess)ent End Ter) E9')in'tion
Co)2onents -Dro2 do<n Cl'ss Test Field Assi(n)ent $resent'tion Attend'n"e
Wei(,t'(e -./ 8 %& 8 9&
Te9t ; Re3eren"es:
Te9t:
.rimmet, R : "ns-ipp, T. 0%&&41 $irds of Northern "ndia New Delhi ;*ford <niversity +ress.
Re3eren"es:
'li, S. 0!=9=1 $ird Study in "ndia "ts >istory and its "mportance. New Delhi "CCR.
.rewal, $, +fister, ; : >arvey, $. 0%&&%1 ' +hotographic .uide to the $irds of "ndia, 'nd the "ndian Subcontinent including +a-istan, Nepal, $hutan,
$angladesh, Sri ?an-a and the ,aldives, Singapore +eriplus.
.rewal, $. 0!==81 Threatened $irds of "ndia. New Delhi.
.rimmet, R : "ns-ipp, T. 0%&&41 $irds of Northern "ndia New Delhi ;*ford <niversity +ress.
@aved, S : Aaul, R. 0%&&B1 (ield ,ethods for $ird Surveys, ,umbai $N>S.
Aa#mierc#a-, A. : Can +erlo, $. 0%&&&1 ' (ield2.uide to the $irds of the "ndian Subcontinent. <A +ica +ress.
Note: (ield trips are a very important part of this class. +lease dress for the weather conditions and be sure to wear sturdy and comfortable footwear. "f the
weather is hot, bring water, sunscreen, and a cap. $e sure that you have your field guide, a pair of binoculars, and a field noteboo-.