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– Module 1 – Initial knowledge Sahel West Africa. Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course – . Authors Designed and written by Nathalie Hecker nat.hecker@yahoo.fr Photographs Steve Garvie sgarvie@aol.com , www.pbase.com/rainbirder Illustrations
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– Module 1 – Initial knowledge Sahel West Africa Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course –
Authors Designed and written by Nathalie Hecker nat.hecker@yahoo.fr Photographs Steve Garvie sgarvie@aol.com, www.pbase.com/rainbirder Illustrations Cyril Girard girardcyril3335@neuf.fr, www.cyrilgirard.fr Translation Rachel 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
Presenting the Module • Technical explanations Indoor exercises
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 ?...
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
How do we recognise them? • Criterion of plumage colour: • This bird is black and white
How do we recognise them? • “It is black and white” ???
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
How do we recognise them? • Three groups of criteria to use for every description
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”
How do we recognise them? • “It has grey-brown upper parts, a white belly, long legs and lives by the water” ???
How do we recognise them? • One criterion is not enough • Criteria are complementary • A brief description is not enough • A full and accurate description is essential • Module 2 : “How to describe a bird accurately”