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Introducing Birds
Activities for introducing your students or family to the world of birds
Select one species to observe and study in detail. Research this bird’s natural history and behavior both by watching and by reading. What time of day do you see the bird? Do you see individuals alone or in flocks? Where does the bird find its food (when not at a feeder)? Where does it sleep? Where does it live during summer? What kind of nest does it build? Observe its behavior: does the bird flutter or droop its wings, pass food back and forth, make raucous sounds, or chase other birds?
Sketch the birds at your feeder, schoolyard or nearby park.
Use binoculars to make detailed observations. Include field marks such as the curve of the bird’s bill, its eye ring, and its crown, cheek, or ear patch. Compare your sketches to photos and illustrations in field guides.
Preparing for spring: Bird songs and calls
Many birds make two kinds of sounds: songs and calls. Songs are used almost exclusively by males to attract females and to defend territories. Calls are used by both sexes to express alarm and to "stay in touch" with each other. Most birds don’t sing at feeders in winter, but they often make calls or "chip" notes. Listen carefully to these and try to learn the sounds of each species. You also can listen to recordings of actual bird songs and calls; check out the Sound of the Week web page, or visit your local library for cassettes or CDs.
What Is a Bird?
Introduction: Describe Archaeopteryx and scientific classification.
Activity: Use pictures of birds, fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles to identify characteristics of birds.
Discussion: List characteristics of birds; identify feathers as unique to birds.
Follow-up: Write a poem about the features that make a bird a bird.
Make Bread Dough Models of Beaks and Feet
Have students use the recipe below to make models of beaks and feet that go together. Then have students use their model to consider how a matching beak and feet help a bird survive in its environment.
Dough recipe:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. alum
1 3/4 cups boiling water
2 T. vegetable oil
food coloring (optional)
Combine all ingredients in the list.
How Do Birds Fly?
Activity: Share observations about how birds fly and speculate about the function of feathers. Explore how a bird lifts into the air. Use sight and touch to take a close look at down feathers and contour feathers.
Discussion: Relate a feather's structure to its function and consider the internal structures that help birds to fly.
Follow-up: Write a paragraph to answer the question: Birds can fly, why can't I?
Create a Bird
Have your students use ideas from these activities (above) and their understanding of birds to create/describe a bird that is adapted to live in a particular environment.
"Life of Birds" video
Show all or parts of "The Life of Birds" series on video or DVD. Take notes, organize information, and write a brief summary.