What does a ornithologist do?

An ornithologist studies the behavior, anatomy, ecology and physiology of birds. Ornithologists can work as teachers, researchers, tour leaders, geneticists and wildlife biologists. Ornithologists can perform their duties in a laboratory or outside studying the behavior of birds.

Every aspect of a bird's life is studied by an ornithologist. This includes the history of the type of bird and how the current form evolved from its ancestors. Ornithologists study this evolution to have a better understanding of how birds have adapted to the environment and how future environmental changes might affect them. Some ornithologists focus on one bird type, while others study birds in general.