This course introduces the major topics in ornithology, with an emphasis on the Neotropical avifauna. The course's major topics include the unique features that make Neotropical avifauna a highlight among bird studies, their evolutionary relationships, the high diversity of species in the Neotropics, and the natural history of Costa Rican birds. Costa Rica is a unique country with over nine hundred species of birds. This course is an introductory Neotropical ornithological and birding experience. The two field trips will introduce the main groups of birds present in Costa Rica, their behavior, and their skills to identify them.