– Module 1 – Initial knowledge

Sahel West Africa

Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course –

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

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Authors

Designed and written byNathalie Hecker nat.hecker@yahoo.fr

Photographs Steve Garvie sgarvie@aol.com, www.pbase.com/rainbirder

IllustrationsCyril Girard girardcyril3335@neuf.fr, www.cyrilgirard.fr

TranslationRachel Wakeham moosekeeper77@hotmail.com

This training course is one of the tools of : Hecker N., 2012. Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – A toolkit for trainers. ONCFS, Hirundo-FT2E. France

Module 1- Initial knowledge

Presenting the Module

Technical explanations

Indoor exercises

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

What is this bird?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

The previous exercise allowed a list of species to be made. This list shows that:

•The group knows many, varied and complementary facts

•One species = several names

•Several species = the same name ?...

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

Even without any prior ornithological training, we all know a certain number of birds.

For example we feel as if we’ve always known how to recognise the Cattle Egret!

We use criteria to identify them, but this isn’t a conscious thing

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

How do we recognise them?

Criterion of plumage colour: This bird is black and white

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

“It is black and white”

How do we recognise them?

???

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

How do we recognise them?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

How do we recognise them?

Three groups of criteria

“because it’s white and has a yellow bill” ➞ criteria of colour of parts of the body

“because it has a long neck and long legs ” ➞ criterion of shape

“ because it follows livestock” ➞ criteria of behaviour, habitat

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

Three groups of criteria to use for every description

Criteria Examples

Criteria of colour It is white and has a yellow bill

Criterion of shape It has a long neck and long legs

Criteria of behaviour (including calls and song) and habitat

It follows livestock

How do we recognise them?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

How do we recognise them?

Criteria of plumage colour, shape and habitat: “It has grey-brown upper parts, a white belly, long legs and

lives by the water” 18

Module 1- Initial knowledge

“It has grey-brown upper parts, a white belly, long legs and lives by the water”

???

How do we recognise them?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

One criterion is not enoughCriteria are complementary

A brief description is not enoughA full and accurate description is essential

Module 2 : “How to describe a bird accurately”

How do we recognise them?

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Module 1- Initial knowledge

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Thanks for your attention!