Human beings are judgmental and it is difficult for them to observe without making inference. However, understanding the interactions between living organisms in their natural habitat requires elimination or reduction of bias. This can be accomplished through systematic observation which depends on the decision rule, a procedure that is set in place prior to data collection and is critical in construction of replicable observational research (http://psc.dss.ucdavis.edu/sommerb/sommerdemo/observation/systematic.htm). The table below is log of a systemic observation conducted in a bushy part of a park for in two-hour session of one hour each.
| Date | Time/Duration | Observed Activity |
| 29/08/2017 | 8.00 – 8.10 AM |
Secluded chirping and singing can be heard mostly atop the trees. Few birds are visible hoping from tree to another and some on the ground and others alighting Majority of the birds are gray-brawn with light orange underparts; some birds have paler heads in contrast to their gray backs |
| 8.10 – 8.20 AM |
More birds emerge from the thicket and singing intensity heightens Singing can be heard to be a string of whistles from repeated syllables that rise and fall in rhythm Singing and chirping is mostly by birds perched on the trees More birds alighting from the trees |
|
| 8.20 – 8.30 AM |
Birds on the trees seem to be eating berries and pecking off backs of branches and are never stationary at one point for long Birds on the ground can be seen pulling worms from the ground and chasing after insects Occasionally, the birds stand erect with the beak tilted upwards Some birds can be seen flying off into the denser parts of the vegetation carrying worms with them |
|
| 8.30 – 8.40 AM |
There is a chorused sharp cry from the birds and the singing alters to shrieks The birds on the ground suddenly take flight into the thicker parts of the vegetation and trees Singing and chirping is abruptly stopped A large eagle flying low appears, circles the ground where the birds were and flies away |
|
| 8.40 – 8.50 AM |
Sporadic singing and chirping can be heard Birds begin to reappear and alight from the trees |
|
| 8.50 – 9.00 AM |
Singing and chirping is less rapid Birds are flying off in groups of 5 or more Fewer birds left on the ground and even fewer on the trees |
|
| 30/08/2017 | 17.00 – 17.10 PM |
There is eerie quietness apart from cooing that can be heard from a distance Only few birds seen the previous morning can be observed |
| 17.10 - 17.20 PM |
The gray-black colored birds star flying in in groups of 5 or more Some land straight into the trees and straight into the denser canopy while others circle before landing |
|
| 17.20 -17.30 |
The trees are teeming with birds as more continue to fly in Singing and chirping intensifies but to a lesser extent compared to morning hours |
|
| 17.30 – 17.40 |
Countable birds alight to the ground move around and fly back to the trees branches Birds on the tees can be seen raffling and pecking their feathers and shaking their bodies |
|
| 17.40 – 17.50 |
Birds can be seen hoping towards dark sections of thicket on the trees Chirping is sporadic |
|
| 17.50 – 18.00 |
Few birds can be seen on the trees Others can be seen fly into and out of the dense thicket |
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Discussion of the Systematic Observation
According to classification posited by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2015), the gray-brown birds with light orange breast/underpants are American robins, which are species of songbirds, the quintessential early birds that inhabit North America. These birds have large round potbellied bodies with long legs and tails (Alderfer & Dunn, 2014). They feed on berries and worms which can be observed through their behavior of hoping through branches, pecking at their backs and on the ground tugging at worms. The birds were observed to be constantly active which can be attributed to their industrious and authoritarian behavior, including awareness of their surroundings noted through erect standing with an upward tilted beak to survey the environment. It implies the birds are cautions during feeding and take turns to perform sentry duties as evidenced by the shrieks when the eagle passing by was sighted, which can be interpreted as a warning sign for eminent danger. This was observed by employing wide angle vision, which constantly takes to account information from peripheral vision and focusing down when needed (Curtis, 2010).
It is important to note that no particular differential behavior was identified to facilitate classification of the birds, leading to the assumption that all were adults. However, these birds are known to breed during the summer, which can be corroborated by some birds flying of carrying worms. It is likely that in the dense canopy of the trees, there were nests and worms were meant for the young chicks. Nevertheless, it was difficult to tell if feeding the young was the role of both male and female adults. The singing and chirping too could not be used to categorize the birds. Only through plumage feature could an attempt be made to identify male and female birds. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2015) posited that female birds are the ones with a paler shade on the head when contrasted to the gray-black of the back, and have white bellies. The difficulty in identification of the sexes can also be attributed to the fact that the birds do not have distinct plumage during the breeding season.
It is evident that food is not enough for the birds in the specific location where thee observation was conducted. This is can be demonstrated by birds flying off in the early hours only to return late in the evening. One can argue that the birds go on food searching trips in areas where it is abundant. It can also be observed that feeding of the young is done in the early hours of the day and also late in the evening. The schedule of observation could not allow knowing if the birds return to their nests throughout the day to bring food to the chicks. It can be noted that majority of the birds also come back in the evening to roost, which according to Alderfer and Dunn (2014) and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2015), is a behavior common among American robins during the fall and winter when there is no breeding.
References
Alderfer, J., & Dunn, J. L. (Eds.). (2014). National geographic complete birds of North America . National Geographic Books.
Curtis, R. (2010). Outdoor action guide to nature observation & stalking. Outdoor Action. Retrieved 31/8/2017 from: https://www.princeton.edu/~oa/nature/naturobs.shtml.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (2015). All about birds: American robin. Cornell University. Retrieved 31/8/2017 from: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/id.
