FeederWatch Classroom Guide
Engage your students in Citizen Science with Project FeederWatch
FeederWatch Classroom Guide
Project FeederWatch (PFW) is a November-April survey of birds that visit schoolyards, backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. To sign up for PFW, visit their website here.
This FeederWatch Classroom Guide helps educators engage their K-8th grade students in citizen science by providing the necessary tools and skills to help monitor bird communities across North America. This 17-page guide is a free download that provides step by step instructions on how to participate in PFW, six fun activities to support classroom learning, along with additional tools and teaching tips.
Below are all the supplemental and electronic resources for FeederWatch Classroom Guide
PFW Toolbox
You can check the PFW educator page here: feederwatch.org/learn/educational-and-homeschool-resources/ for any available educator discounts.
Activity 1 Resources
- Detailed instructions: feederwatch.org/about/detailed-instructions
- Preparing a tally sheet: feederwatch.org/about/detailed-instructions/#prepare-a-tally-sheet
- Learn more about Anna’s Hummingbird: allaboutbirds.org/guide/Annas_Hummingbird
- Trend graphs: feederwatch.org/explore/trend-graphs
Activity 2 Resources
- Project FeederWatch Identifying birds: feederwatch.org/learn/identifying-birds
- Optional: Hawk and Hummingbird posters feederwatch.org/learn/identifying-birds/#download-feederwatch-posters
- Inside Birding Video: academy.allaboutbirds.org/inside-birding-size-shape
- Bird ID Skills blog: allaboutbirds.org/news/building-skills-the-4-keys-to-bird-identification
- Tricky bird identification: feederwatch.org/learn/tricky-bird-ids
Activity 3 Resources
- Common Feeder Birds Interactive: feederwatch.org/learn/common-feeder-birds
- Seeds and Grains Poster
- Optional: Beaks! A book by Robin Brickman and related activities birds.cornell.edu/k12/beaks
- Learn about beak differences at: allaboutbirds.org/news/a-birds-beak-is-shaped-by-more-than-what-it-eats
- Common feeder birds: feederwatch.org/learn/common-feeder-birds
Activity 4 Resources
- PFW Guide to feeder types: feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds
Activity 5 Resources
- Preparing a tally sheet: feederwatch.org/about/detailed-instructions/#prepare-a-tally-sheet
Activity 6 Resources
- PFW Explore website: feederwatch.org/explore
- All About Birds website: allaboutbirds.org
- Investigating Evidence (free downloadable curriculum): birds.cornell.edu/k12/investigating_evidence