Session One : Why Birds Matter - In 2019 a study involving American and Canadian scientists revealed that North America has lost almost three billion birds in the last fifty years! What has precipitated this seemingly devastating loss? Should we really care? And if we do, what can we do about it? Join Dr. David Bird, Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Biology at McGill University, for a bird’s eye-view of the value of our feathered friends, what is befalling them, who is out there to help them, and what you can do about it.

Session Two: How Birds Do It - Ever wonder how birds are equipped to produce those warm, fuzzy chicks in the nest? Not all is as it seems. Join Dr. David M. Bird as he takes you on a humorous and at times, serious “bird’s eye-view” of the seemingly indecent world of avian reproduction involving the Mile-High Club, incest, homosexuality, transvestitism, sex changes, divorce, and infidelity. It simply puts television soap operas to shame! You may never look at birds the same again. This talk is rated “R” and not meant for children under 13.

Session Three: Can Drones Help Our Birds - Small unmanned vehicle systems (UVS), sometimes referred to as “drones” are now being used in the field of bird research and management, for example conducting population surveys, tracking radio-tagged birds, sensing and observing birds in inaccessible or dangerous places, mapping and monitoring bird habitats, and deterring nuisance bird species. Join Dr. David M. Bird as he explores these applications of these amazing machines for research, management, and conservation in the world of birds.

Session Four: A Good Ole-Fashioned Cat Fight - Based on figures gleaned from the literature, there are hundreds of millions of pet cats in the world. The number of feral cats is not really known. Roughly half of owned pet cats run free outdoors. While not all pet cats hunt birds, many of them do, even if well fed. A very scientific-based conservative estimate is that over two billion birds are killed by pet cats just in the U.S. alone. Needless to say, it has been no easy task to convince cat-owners to keep their pets indoors and the subject has pitted animal-lovers squarely against one another, sometimes quite fiercely. It is critical that the two sides at least maintain a dialogue with one another to find a solution that is palatable for all. This visual presentation by Dr. David Bird attempts to do just that.

Session Five: The Poop on Avian Digestion - Ever wonder how that splash on your newly washed car was made? Why one should not “French-kiss” a duck? Did you know that “cow-birds” really exist in the true sense of the word? Why do some birds eat rocks? Do some birds actually barf up their food on purpose? If you’ve got the stomach to hear the answers to these tasteless questions and many more on the disgusting food habits of birds, join David Bird on a visual exploration of the avian digestion system beginning from the opening at the top to the one at the other end. It promises to be a gut-wrenching, ad-nauseam experience!

Session Six: The Canada Jay as Canada's National Bird - In terms of national symbols, Canada has a tree, a mammal, two national sports and even a horse, but it does not have an official bird. Breeding in every province and territory, the tough Canada Jay remains in Canada year-round, being able to breed in very cold temperatures. As a member of the corvid family, it is arguably among the smartest birds on the planet! Best of all, they have not been chosen as an official bird for any geographical entity to date! Join Dr. David Bird, Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Biology at McGill University as he chronicles the quest to make the Canada Jay the national bird of our country.