DESCRIPTION: The focus of this event is avian ecology. Students will be expected to understand how
birds interact within their populations and how they relate to their environment. This involves
identification skills together with knowledge of behavior and habitat. Students will be expected to identify
birds by sight, vocalizations, characteristic behavior or adaptive characteristics. The species are limited to
those shown on the list below for the national competition. States will provide their own more limitedlists,
which will include an appropriate subset of species from the national list and may include additional
species. These lists are based on the Checklist of American Birds, published by the American
Ornithologists' Union in 1998. A musical note indicates those species for which knowledge of
vocalization is required. B Division students will identify birds by common names only whereas C
Division students must identify birds by common names and genus and species. The ecology questions
may pertain to any ecological aspect of the species, including behavior, habitat, niche, symbiotic
relationships, trophic level, adaptive anatomy such as bill size and shape, migration, distribution or
occurrence (rare, common, special concern, endangered.) Both intraspecific and interspecific behavior
may be addressed.
THE COMPETITION: A TEAM OF UP TO 2 STUDENTS APPROX. TIME: 50 min.
2. Vocalizations may be played to the whole group or set up on separate players with headphones.
3. Questions will require knowledgeof ecological aspects of a species and may also involve identification
of the species. The species names on the list are the only correct answers to the identificationquestions.
(Note that reference materials dated earlier than 1998 may not have the currently accepted names.)
4. Most ecology questions will involve evaluation. C Division students will be expected to do more in-
depth evaluations than B Division students.
5. Students are permitted to bring and use hard copy referencepublications, identification keys and guides
and self-developed resources. Students may NOT use electronic devices. The event supervisor will
provide no resources.
SCORING: In the competition as a whole, the ecology aspects will be worth more points than the
identifications. Incorrectly spelled identifications will receive only half credit. Tiebreaker questions will
be included. EXAMPLES:
1) Vocalization: "bee-buzz" a) Idcniify this species, b) For what food resource is this species adapted? Answer: a)
blue-winged warbler (B Div.) also \'crmivora pinus (Div. C) b) insects
2) Picture: Osprcy a) What is ttie primary food source lor these birds'.' b)Why did DDT reduce populations of this
species but not the plankton in its food chain? Answer: a) Fish (b^ Toxins concentrate at each higher trophic level,
and Osprcys arc at the top of the food chain.
3) Vocali/aiion: "konk-a-ree" a) Identify this species, b) Where would this species build its nest and raise its young?
Select all that apply, i. Wetlands ii. Fallow Fields iii. Suburban Back Yards
iv. Eastern Deciduous Forests v. None of the above. Answer: a) red-winged blackbird (B Div.) also Agclaius
phocniceus (Div. C) b) both i. and ii. (Div. C) (B Div. would have a shorter list of choices with only one correct
answer.)
RESOURCES: Sec http://www.battaly.com/so for a list of birds and resources.
2002-CC33
