“Youth Action for Birds” Resources

Here you will find resources and links for the curriculum, eBird Explorers: Youth Action for Birds.

General Links

Lesson slides for the whole curriculum.

Tips for Taking Youth Outside.

Birdability, a non-profit with resources for making birding more accessible.

Lesson 1: Who are scientists?

Big Idea: Everyone has scientific skills, and anyone can aspire to be a scientist. Youth can build science skills through citizen science.

• You Can Be a Citizen Scientist video
• eBird live submission Map
• Downloadable eBird Map
  

Activity 2 video alternative: Choose one or two of the “In the Field” videos from these conservation scientist profiles.

Lesson 2: Building Observation Skills

Big Idea: Observation is a foundational scientific skill and that can be built through practice.

Lesson 3: Introducing Birds!

Big idea: Birds are a group of animals that have two wings, a beak, two legs, and lay hard-shelled eggs. Birds are the only living animal with feathers.

• Choose one or more of the following Introducing Birds videos to show your class.
  • Black birds and woodpeckers at the Cornell Feeder Cam.
  • Rock Pigeons flying through city.
  • A Cackling Goose swimming surrounded by Canada Geese.
  • Pair of Wood Thrush at a nest.
  • A female American Robin reinforces her nest with mud.
  • Turkey Vulture in flight.
• Open all of these All About Birds profiles to explore these videos, listen to sounds, and see more photos.
  • House Sparrow
  • American Robin
  • American Crow
  • Canada Goose

Lesson 4: Introduction to Bird ID

Big Idea: There are many different kinds of birds. We can begin to identify them by comparing their size and shape.

• Visit the All About Birds website to view images of your nine bird bingo species.

Lesson 5: Practicing Bird ID

Big Idea: That data that youths collect to support eBird and citizen science can help conserve bird species.

Lesson 6: Bird Body Parts

Big Idea: A bird’s overall color pattern provides important clues for identification.

Lesson 7: Birds in Focus

Big ID: Youth become bird ID experts on a Focus Bird.

• The All About Birds website allows students to do research on their Focus Bird and become an expert on the species!

Lesson 8: Habitat & Adaptations

• Big Idea: Birds live in many different types of habitats and have developed adaptations over time to survive and reproduce in their habitat.

Lesson 9: Habitat Overview

Big Idea: Youth can contribute to the eBird database by submitting their bird sightings and explore the database to answer questions about their local habitats.

• Visit eBird.org to submit your eBird list.
• The eBird live submissions map is where you can see your eBird list appear as it is submitted!

Lesson 10: The Big Picture

Big Idea: Youth can make a difference for birds by participating in citizen science and taking action in their own communities.

• The 3 Billion Birds website explores some of the challenges facing North America’s birds and proposes some solutions.
• Watch the 3 Billion Birds video on the main 3 Billion Birds page or on YouTube.
• Explore the 7 Simple Actions to discover ways to help birds in your everyday life.
• Visit Why Birds Matter to discover how helping birds helps us all.