Online Class: Bird Watching — Food, Feeders and Behavior

This course offers a transformative journey into the world of bird watching, designed to deepen your connection with nature while expanding your knowledge and skills. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, you'll learn to attract, identify, and understand birds, turning your backyard into a vibrant sanctuary.

Self-Paced, Online Class
Irish Public Libraries
 
  • 11
    Lessons
  • 23
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,353
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 5
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.5
    CEUs
  •  
    Video Audit
    Available
 
 
 

Course Description

Imagine stepping into your backyard and suddenly becoming aware of a whole world you never fully noticed before—a world alive with color, song, and movement. From the flicker of a Blue Jay’s wing to the soft trill of a Chickadee, bird watching transforms even the most ordinary day into something magical. This course will open your eyes to that world, but more importantly, it will show you how to connect with it in ways that are deeply meaningful, exciting, and life-enriching.

This isn’t just another course on bird watching; it’s a journey into the heart of nature, one that will forever change how you see your surroundings. Whether you’re simply curious or already passionate about birds, you’ll find that this course is designed to make every moment of observation more rewarding and insightful. What sets this course apart is its deeply personal approach—it’s not about memorizing bird species; it’s about experiencing them. It’s about understanding the delicate ecosystems birds thrive in and how your actions can positively contribute to their survival and well-being.

As you progress through the course, you’ll learn not only how to identify birds by sight and song but also how to attract them, feed them properly, and create a sanctuary that invites more feathered friends into your life. You’ll uncover the secrets of bird behavior—why they migrate, how they choose their nesting spots, and even the unique ways they communicate with one another. By the end, you’ll be able to predict when certain species will arrive and notice the subtle seasonal changes that trigger their behaviors.

But beyond the technical knowledge, this course offers something even more transformative: a deeper connection to the natural world. It’s about finding peace in the simple act of watching a bird bathe in a birdbath or marveling at the resilience of migratory species. You’ll walk away not just with new skills, but with a sense of purpose, knowing you can make a tangible difference in supporting local wildlife.

Ready to take your place in the wonderful world of bird watching? This course is your gateway—an opportunity not just to observe nature but to truly understand and appreciate it. Sign up today, and let’s make your world a little more vibrant, one bird at a time.

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Course Motivation

Imagine stepping outside, and suddenly, your world expands. What was once just a quiet backyard becomes a vibrant, living stage where birds of every color, shape, and size perform. Their songs, flights, and behaviors captivate you, and you realize that this world has been waiting for you all along. This is what bird watching can unlock—a connection to nature that is both exhilarating and profoundly calming. But it’s not just about spotting a bird. It’s about understanding their behaviors, their migratory patterns, and how you can create a sanctuary that attracts them right to your doorstep.

Welcome to a course that promises to transform your everyday experience into something extraordinary. Whether you're a complete beginner or have been a casual bird watcher for years, this course is designed to deepen your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and inspire your love for bird watching like never before. It's not just a course; it's a gateway to an entirely new perspective.

What makes this course special is the holistic approach it takes. It’s not just about identifying different bird species—although you’ll become an expert at that. It’s about learning how to invite these beautiful creatures into your life and environment. You’ll discover the right feeders, birdhouses, and plants that will turn your backyard into a bustling aviary. You’ll learn the secrets of attracting rare species and uncover the joy of observing intricate bird behaviors up close. This course goes beyond just observing; it immerses you in the fascinating lives of birds.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of this course is the way it helps you to find peace and purpose in nature. Bird watching is more than a hobby—it’s an opportunity to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the world around you. Imagine the sense of fulfillment that comes from nurturing wildlife, contributing to the preservation of species, and creating a space where birds—and your spirit—can thrive.

Unlike other courses that are simply information dumps, this one is crafted to be an engaging journey. You won’t just learn from textbooks or dry tutorials. You’ll explore, practice, and reflect. You’ll be challenged to get out there and start observing right away, whether you live in a city apartment or a rural farmhouse. Every lesson builds on the last, offering you a progressive learning experience that leaves you with tangible, practical skills that you can immediately apply.

By the end of this course, you won’t just know about birds—you’ll feel a deep, personal connection to them. You’ll wake up with excitement, ready to see which new feathered friends might be visiting your yard that day. This course offers you the keys to a lifelong passion that brings joy, calm, and a deeper sense of meaning.

If you’re ready to enrich your life with the beauty and wonder of bird watching, then this is the course for you. Don’t wait. The birds are out there now, and they’re waiting for you to notice. Join today and embark on this transformative journey into the world of birds.

Areas of Study
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.61 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(661 votes)
  • Lesson 1: The Joys of Bird Watching

    Bird watching, an often underestimated but profoundly fulfilling hobby, connects us to the beauty and complexity of nature. This connection can be seen through both its simplicity and its intricate depth.
  • Lesson 2: Where to Find the Birds

    Bird watching is not just about acquiring fancy equipment or finding remote places to visit. It’s about learning to connect with the world around you, no matter where you live. Many beginners believe they need to live near forests or wide-open spaces to enjoy bird watching.
  • Lesson 3: Tools for Bird Watching

    Bird watching is a pursuit that can start with nothing more than a simple glance out of your window, where the daily routines of local birds unfold in plain sight. The joy of seeing birds flutter about their daily lives, hearing their songs echo through the trees, and observing their graceful flights can fill anyone with a sense of wonder.
  • Lesson 4: Feeding Your Birds

    When it comes to creating a bird-friendly environment, food is an essential factor. Every bird species has its own dietary preferences, and by offering the right mix of food, you can attract a diverse range of birds to your yard.
  • Lesson 5: Bird Feeders and Bird Baths

    Bird watching is a delightful experience, but to truly invite birds into your yard and make it a sanctuary for them, you need to consider how food and water are presented. Birds, like all creatures, require food, water, and shelter.
  • Lesson 6: Bird Houses

    Bird watching takes on an entirely new meaning when you invite not just visitors, but residents, to your backyard sanctuary. One of the most rewarding experiences for a bird watcher is observing birds as they nest, raise their young, and return year after year to the same spot.
  • Lesson 7: How to Identify Birds

    Bird identification is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of bird watching, but it can feel overwhelming at first. The world of birds is vast, filled with countless species, each exhibiting a unique combination of colors, behaviors, songs, and flight patterns.
  • Lesson 8: Seasonal Bird Watching

    Bird watching is an activity that transforms with the seasons, each one offering unique opportunities to observe the different phases of a bird’s life cycle—from migration and mating to molting and winter survival. Understanding these natural cycles deepens your experience, turning bird watching into a year-round passion, full of discovery.
  • Lesson 9: Bird Watching Emergencies

    Bird watching is a joyful activity that brings peace and connection to nature, but occasionally, emergencies involving birds may arise. While we try to create safe environments for our feathered friends, unexpected events—such as injuries, collisions, or seemingly abandoned birds—can occur.
  • Lesson 10: More Information and Further Reading

    As you delve deeper into the captivating world of bird watching, you'll soon realize that there's always more to learn. Birding is a dynamic hobby—constantly evolving as you discover new species, behaviors, and even conservation challenges.
  • Lesson 11: Questions and Answers

    Bird watching often stirs curiosity about both everyday and unusual bird behaviors. The more you observe, the more questions arise. Whether you're wondering about a bird's unusual flight pattern, its food habits, or how they survive in various climates, there’s always something more to learn.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Summarize reasons why people watch birds.
  • Describe the best places to watch birds.
  • Summarize the tools used to watch birds.
  • Describe the best practices for feeding birds.
  • Describe ways to identify birds.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Bird Watching: Food, Feeders and Behavior
Course Number: 8900278
Lessons Rating: 4.61 / 5 Stars (661 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: You can take this course online in every U.S. state including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. International availability includes English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: March 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.5 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Nancy Fillip
Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

  • "This was a great teacher and she was wonderful with feedback about questions and ideas in reference to more information." -- Sherry F.
  • "This was the first course I have taken on Universal Class. I was impressed by the course material. The instructor was great - made comments on my assignments and grades. Overall a great experience." -- Mary L.
  • "Nancy is a great instructor. I've had her for 2 courses now and have thoroughly enjoyed them both." -- Kathleen S.
  • "Love her, awesome instructor!" -- Karen W.
  • "Instructor was wonderful." -- Margo L.
  • "Enjoyed this course very much." -- Tracy O.
  • "This course was presented in a very interesting and engaging format. The instructor was informative and pleasant. I enjoyed her inclusion of photographs and quotations that pertained to backyard bird watching. I'm encouraged to continue research on my own with the links she provided." -- janet J.