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The National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America

Let an internationally celebrated birding expert and National Geographic introduce you to the joys of birding across the North American continent.

Watch First Lecture

Birding Basics: Bird Origins and Taxonomy
1 Birding Basics: Bird Origins and Taxonomy - 31 min
Begin by delving into the history of birdwatching in the U.S., from the early naturalists of the 18th century to today’s highly organized activity. Then look into the origins of birds, and how they are linked evolutionarily to dinosaurs and early reptiles. Finally, explore bird taxonomy, and how their scientific classification aids us in identifying them in the field....

24 Lectures

1
Image of Birding Basics: Bird Origins and Taxonomy
Birding Basics: Bird Origins and Taxonomy
0 of 31 min
2
Image of Basic Bird Anatomy
Basic Bird Anatomy
0 of 29 min
3
Image of Size, Shape, and Color as Birding Tools
Size, Shape, and Color as Birding Tools
0 of 29 min
4
Image of Bird Distribution, Status, and Endemism
Bird Distribution, Status, and Endemism
0 of 31 min
5
Image of Habitat and Season as Birding Tools
Habitat and Season as Birding Tools
0 of 30 min
6
Image of Introduction to Birding Optics
Introduction to Birding Optics
0 of 30 min
7
Image of Tactics for Better Birding
Tactics for Better Birding
0 of 30 min
8
Image of Using Bird Behavior to Identify Birds
Using Bird Behavior to Identify Birds
0 of 31 min
9
Image of Understanding Variations in Plumage
Understanding Variations in Plumage
0 of 28 min
10
Image of Birding by Ear
Birding by Ear
0 of 30 min
11
Image of Essentials of Bird Migration
Essentials of Bird Migration
0 of 30 min
12
Image of Birding at Night
Birding at Night
0 of 30 min
13
Image of Pelagic Birding
Pelagic Birding
0 of 29 min
14
Image of Waterbirds, Shorebirds, and Game Birds
Waterbirds, Shorebirds, and Game Birds
0 of 33 min
15
Image of Diurnal Raptors
Diurnal Raptors
0 of 32 min
16
Image of From Doves to Kingfishers
From Doves to Kingfishers
0 of 32 min
17
Image of Passerines: From Flycatchers to Thrushes
Passerines: From Flycatchers to Thrushes
0 of 32 min
18
Image of Passerines: From Thrashers to Warblers
Passerines: From Thrashers to Warblers
0 of 30 min
19
Image of Passerines: From Tanagers to Finches
Passerines: From Tanagers to Finches
0 of 32 min
20
Image of Photography for Birders
Photography for Birders
0 of 30 min
21
Image of Birding Sites in Eastern North America
Birding Sites in Eastern North America
0 of 31 min
22
Image of Birding Sites in Western North America
Birding Sites in Western North America
0 of 32 min
23
Image of Birds and People
Birds and People
0 of 29 min
24
Image of Birding Ethics and Conservation
Birding Ethics and Conservation
0 of 39 min

Reviews

d********m
April 21, 2019
GC needs more courses with James Currie! Mr. Currie's delivery and presence is just so engaging and his gift of storytelling and teaching makes him one of the very best lectures I have ever had the joy of learning from.

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t********m
February 11, 2019

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f********m
February 9, 2019
Fan-Tas-Tic! I've always enjoyed birds and learning more about them. But I was so inspired by the course, I went out and bought a bird station for my backyard, and a 2000 mm super-zoom camera (Nikon P900, 600 bucks), so I could capture my visitors. That was 16 months ago, and I've had a great time, cataloging all the species, and learning more about birds through my experience. It all started with this course. (I followed it up with some good photography courses too - from Joel Sartore, so I could figure out how to shoot them. Photographically speaking, of course.)

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