Breeding Biology of Birds

Breeding Biology of Birds

Edited by Donald S. Farner

Publisher: National Academy of Sciences, 1st ed., 1973

ISBN-10: 030902109X

ISBN-13: 978-0309021098

515 pages

During the past two decades experimental investigations have resulted in highly significant advances in the ethology and physiology of reproduction in birds. During this same period important game species have come under increased hunting pressure while their habitats have been subjected to the severe impact of changing practices in land use; the problems of “endangered species” have become more acute; and problems of economically important “pest” species have persisted.

Wildlife biologists, who must contend with the problems, have conducted extensive field research, the results of which provide a more precise empirical definition of problems and some solutions. For many reasons, however, there has been a serious failure in communication between wildlife biologists, on the one hand, and ethologists and physiologists, on the other. There are also significant philosophic differences and consequent barriers to communication between ethologists and physiologists. Nevertheless, it seems clear that research by ornithologists, avian ethologists, avian physiologists, and wildlife biologists has reached the point where highly useful interactions are now possible.

In this symposium (Symposium on Breeding Behavior and Reproductive Physiology in Birds, Denver, 1972) the Division of Biology and Agriculture functioned in its not infrequent role of organizer and catalyst in an area that falls in the realm of no single professional or scientific organization.

The symposium was, in fact, a response to a joint recommendation by the presidents of Wildlife Society and the American Ornithologists’ Union and the Chairman, Division of Comparative Endocrinology of the American Society of Zoologists.

The primary function of this symposium was to present neither the latest products of research nor detailed technical resumes of restricted areas of research. Rather, its goal was to attain, by adjustment of communication to, or at least toward, a “common language”— a fruitful exchange of ideas among the disciplines involved. Although it seems clear that the symposium attained its anticipated function, the true extent to which it achieved its goal can only be assessed with time. It is hoped that both its successful aspects and its shortcomings will serve as guidelines for the organizers of similar ventures in the future.

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