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Reproduction: Eggs
An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
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From tiny hummingbird eggs to giant ostrich eggs, this book captures
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- Have children build their own “nest” from natural materials they
gather outside, or that you provide: sticks, tiny twigs, leaves, mud,
pine needles, dried grass, plant "fluff". They can test their nest’s
ability to hold eggs by putting 2-3 small rocks in the nest and then
placing it on a y-shaped tree branch. (If there are any nests that will
not pass this test, but are well-made, perhaps they are for
ground-nesting birds!)
- Spend some time watching live nesting birds on the Nestcam web site, where you can see what's going on in dozens of nest boxes across the country. Then help out scientists by analyzing some of the NestCam data.
- Join Cornell Lab's Nestwatch project. It's a great way to learn more about your local nesting birds, and contribute data to a nationwide database!
- Take a walk and look for as many nests as you can find. Hint: notice where the birds are going when they fly by, and listen for the high-pitched calls of young birds when an adult gets near a nest.
- Whose Nest Is It? Download the PDF of this activity from the
NestWatch web site (near the bottom of the Outreach and
Media page, under "Activities").
- Draw birds on their nests, and or eggs, as accurately as possible.
Create an chart with drawings of the eggs for each of your common local
birds. Peterson's Guide (below) is an excellent reference.
- "Egg-stravaganza"—an activity in which you discover the versatility
and durability of eggs. In Flying Wild: An Educator's Guide to
Celebrating Birds. Published by the Council for Environmental
Education. Go to flyingwild.org for
ordering information.
Additional Resources and Supplies
- The NestWatch Monitoring Resources page has useful information about "How you can help nesting birds" and "Myths About Nesting Birds".
- Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Birds’ Nests by Hal H. Harrison
- Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds' Nests by Hal H. Harrison
- A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds by Paul Baicich and Colin Harrison. Academic Press. Very detailed, perhaps more than beginners will want, but has the advantage of picturing nestlings, too.