300159 VO Evolutionary biology of birds (2007W)

This lecture about the evolutionary biology of birds is based on selected contents starting with palaeontology, morphological development, biogeographically aspects in combination with speziation and ecomorphological adaptations to changing environmental conditions. Behavioural aspects include questions about reproduction, food choice, socio-biology, population ecology, predator avoidance as well as different kind of parasitism. The presentation of relevant literature and illustrative material will be part of the lecture.