About us

Welcome to the website of the Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre.

An expert who works with the thorough study of birds as well as determining their breeding and migration patterns is known as an ornithologist (Greek for “the study of birds”).

It is well known that famous botanists and biologists have long been intrigued by the numerous bird species. They utilized birds as a biological weapon, rapidly spreading various illnesses, as well as weather forecasters and information transmitters after carefully studying all the complexities of their behavior.

The role of an ornithologist nowadays is still important. It functions to keep track of avian flocks, their movements, and their feeding and breeding habits.

WORK OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST

studies the variety of bird species and the quantity of birds in a specific location; studying the systematics, physiology, phenology, ecology, as well as the nutrition and behavior of birds; keeping track of flocks of birds as they migrate; protecting rare and endangered species; defending birds against human abuse; educating others in specialized groups, sections, and online; taking part in the treatment of avian diseases; teaching at universities.

Standards for ornithologists

a college degree in a pertinent discipline; a passion for wildlife and birds; Excellent observation and attention skills, accuracy in work, and understanding of biology, geography, chemistry, genetics, and other natural sciences.

An ornithologist can work anywhere.

institutions of higher education; zoos; natural areas and reserves; animal welfare organisations; research institutes.

There are numerous subfields in ornithology that are concerned with the study of birds. We have to figure out, like other biologists, how biological items differ from non-biological objects, how living nature came to be, how birds came to be, and other such broad biological difficulties. Furthermore, we need to identify the traits that set birds apart from other creatures. A bird is said to be "built to fly," although there are several species that cannot fly, contrary to popular belief. We still know very little about the bird population in several parts of the world. The conservation of birds is very closely related to this direction. Since most of today's human activity involves damaging the natural world around us, the conservation of our study's subject, birds, is an important concern.

The researcher can take a path that suits his or her preferences and personal interests. For example, if a person enjoys watching birds, naturalistics may be more appealing. Then, one can be more concerned with the behavior of birds, their conservation, the preservation of their natural habitat, and the maintenance of their population. On the other hand, some approaches focus on highly specific issues, such as bird migrations and orientation and navigation. When, for instance, waders fly in a single rush from North America to Australia without landing, one can observe the record-breaking values of bird flights. The evolution of the circulatory and other physiological systems, the genesis and maintenance of homo-thermia, and other general biological issues are also addressed in birds. A full genetic map is being created as a result of the explosion in genetic research. Even though they are ornithologists, some persons who study birds in this way do not consider themselves to be ornithologists.