1. Geography of Birds

2. Palearctic Region Largest region Site of origin of all birds
Great diversity of habitats
Poor bird variety (cold climate, sharply accentuated breeding season)

3. Palearctic Region 1026 species (55% passerines) 69 families
Only 1 endemic family
Similarities with Nearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental

4. Nearctic Region 750 species
Dominant - Parulidae (warblers), Icteridae (blackbirds)
61 families (no endemic)
Similarities with Palearctic, Neotropical

5. Ethiopian Region 1556 species (62% passerines) 73 families
6 endemic families
Similarities with Palearctic, Oriental

6. Oriental Region 961 species 66 families Only 1 endemic family
Most similar to Ethiopian, less to Palearctic, Australian

7. Australian Region
906 species
64 families
13 endemic families

8. Neotropical Region 3300 species (dominated by non-passerines)
>95 families
31 endemic families
Similarities with Nearctic

9. Active Dispersal Change in distribution of species Driven by:
Changing environment
Interspecific competition
Population pressure

10. Active Dispersal Enhanced by mobility
Irruption - rapid range expansion
Withdrawal - loss of range

11. Passive Dispersal Strong winds, storms - “accidentals”
Humans - House Sparrow, European Starling, Rock Dove, Ring-necked Pheasant

12. Monk Parakeet
Crate of imported birds broke open in 1967 at JFK International Airport
Now live in New York and 15 other states

13. Monk Parakeet

14. Barriers Mountain ranges Oceans - Cattle Egret Cold temperatures
Food resources - e.g., hummingbirds