We employ birds as model species in the investigation of general principles and mechanisms that are central to understanding key questions in biology and the environment.
Members of the Centre are based in the School of Biosciences and the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Honorary members are based world-wide.
About the Centre for Ornithology
Our research interests are multi- and interdisciplinary. They currently range from macroecology to egg shell structure, via physiology, energetics, sensory systems, behaviour, cognition and reproductive biology. Our NEWS and EVENTS link gives a flavour of the unfolding activity of the Centre.
Our team of academic staff, research fellows and post graduate students, are supported by specialist technical staff and excellent facilities for housing birds, and we have high quality lab facilities for conducting investigations.
This includes access to a state-of-art genomics lab. We also have the use of a large woodland field site in the countryside close to the city. The activities of the Birmingham University Ringing Group are based mainly at this site.
We collaborate with many external organisations and individuals, and through our international collaborations conduct research in many, often remote, locations around the world. We benefit from having honorary members who are prominent in national and international ornithological organisations. Two of the Centre's members are involved in the editing of ornithological research journals.
Our courses and teaching contribute to many aspects of undergraduate programmes and we uniquely provide University part-time programmes leading to awards in Ornithology. These include a part-time programmes leading to the award of MSc, and Post-Graduate Certificates, and Diplomas. These programmes are delivered at weekends, or in blocks of teaching, and are therefore open to people in full or part-time time work.
Our overall aim is to explain and emphasise the role of avian research in the understanding and investigation of key topics in biology.
Rare Birds: Where and When
Congratulations to Russell Slack on the publication of his book ‘Rare Birds; Where and When’. Click here for full details.
Avian Invasions
Congratulations to Phill Cassey on the publication of his Oxford University Press book ‘Avian Invasions: the ecology and evolution of exotic birds’. Click here for full details.
