Discovering the Details of the Birds of Veracruz

In the heart of Minatitlán, Veracruz, Mexico, at the 20 de Noviembre Elementary School in the community of Francisco de Garay Colorado, something exciting was happening. Within this vibrant school where the curiosity of students from first to sixth grade flourishes among laughter and games, a series of workshops called “Getting to Know the Birds of My Community” was taking place. These workshops were organized by Alas Libres, an organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and protection of birds

During the workshops, children, teachers, and parents explored the world of birds, guided by biologist Ivette Casas López and supported by a mini-grant from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for Latin American and Caribbean Organizations. This initiative, aimed at fostering appreciation for birds and their habitats, left a deep, positive, and lasting impression on the community. It wasn’t just a series of lessons; it was an invitation to open their eyes to the delicate world of birds that share our environment.

A teacher is at the front of the class, introducing a lesson on birds while pointing to a presentation on a white screen. The students in red uniforms are at their desks, listening. The classroom walls have colorful posters, cut-out hearts, and learning materials.

The First Encounter: What is a Bird?

The journey began with a group of curious first to third-graders eager to learn about the basic characteristics of birds. Through engaging presentations and hands-on activities, the children discovered what defines a bird, from the function of feathers to the diversity of beaks and feet. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they shared stories about the birds they had seen in their community, naming and describing them with ease.

Understanding the Importance of Habitat

In the next stage of their adventure, the children learned about the importance of bird habitats. To spark their curiosity, they were asked questions such as: Do you know where birds live? What is a habitat? What elements do birds need to live?

The children listened attentively as they learned about what constitutes a species habitat and its basic elements: space, water, food, and shelter. To make it more relatable, these were compared to human needs like water, air, home, food, light, rest, health, and family. This reflection reinforced their empathy for birds and their environment.

A group of young students in red uniforms are participating in a bird habitat matching activity in their classroom. They are seated at desks, using colored pencils and crayons to complete worksheets that involve connecting birds to their correct habitats. Some students are focused on their work, while others are reaching for coloring materials.
A young student in a red uniform is working on a bird-related worksheet at their desk. The worksheet features an owl illustration and a matching activity related to bird functions. The student is using a pencil to complete the task

The children also observed a picture showing herons in a polluted habitat. They reflected on how human activities, like littering and burning vegetation, affect birds. They concluded that in polluted spaces it is very difficult for birds to survive, thus recognizing the impact of our actions.

The importance of birds in culture, art, music, photography, birdwatching, and the ecosystem was highlighted. Birds provide essential services like pollination, seed dispersal, insect control, and ecosystem cleaning, benefiting both humans and the environment.

With each reflection and discovery, the children better understood the balance of nature and the importance of protecting bird habitats, valuing the home we share with these wonderful creatures.

Binoculars as Windows to the World

An exciting day arrived when the children learned about the art of birdwatching. They began by listening to thorough explanations of why and how to watch birds. This included basic steps like where and when to watch, what kind of clothing to wear, and the use of guides and equipment. They learned about the code of ethics for birdwatching, how to behave during birdwatching, how to identify birds, and how to keep records of their observations.

A classroom with young students in red uniforms sitting at blue desks, watching a teacher in a green shirt give a presentation. A projector screen shows images of a bird, a child, and a snake. The walls are decorated with colorful cutouts and educational posters.

The use of binoculars to observe bird details and distinguish between species was emphasized. They were also reminded that their own eyes and ears are the most valuable tools for observing and identifying birds. The children then moved to the schoolyard, where they identified birds from drawings on tarps and in trees decorated with paper birds.

With binoculars, the children could see the birds up close, exciting everyone and revealing previously invisible details. Hannia commented enthusiastically: “I was excited to see the birds with the binoculars; I really enjoyed using them. Their colors look so close.”

The experience left everyone fascinated and sparked a new passion for birds and nature.

A classroom where young students in red uniforms are watching their teacher demonstrate how to use binoculars. A laptop on a table displays images of birds. The classroom has colorful posters, educational charts, and bookshelves with materials. Some students sit upright, while others rest their heads on their desks.

Protecting Our Feathered Friends

In the next session the children learned about some of the threats birds face in the environment. They reflected on how human activities such as unchecked construction and pollution can harm birds’ habitats. The children understood the importance of caring for common areas and learned to recognize  the value of their territory filled with rivers and wetlands. They discussed practical ways to help birds around their homes and in their community.

They then drew the palm of their hand on paper, creating a tree and writing on each finger an action to protect birds. To finish they received bird puppets to cut out and paint, decorating them with their favorite characteristics. Thus, the children became little guardians of nature committed to protecting the common home with birds.

A young student in a red uniform is smiling while holding a handmade paper bird craft. The bird is colored red and brown.
A young student in a red uniform is holding up a handmade paper bird craft in front of their face. The bird is colored light blue and has movable wings attached with brass fasteners. A wooden stick serves as a handle, and orange string represents the bird’s legs.
A young student in a red uniform is holding up a handmade paper bird craft. The bird is colored yellow and brown, with a black-and-white head pattern. It has movable wings attached with brass fasteners and a wooden stick as a handle

A Community Effort

The activities of Alas Libres in Minatitlán were presented in a talk with the parents of the elementary school children. The parents were shown bird monitoring and birdwatching routes in the community’s lagoons and wetlands.

The organizers explained that the aim of the workshops was to highlight the natural wealth of their area, both the land and the wetlands, through teaching children about the region’s birds and the use of binoculars. Parents enjoyed seeing photos of the wetlands and the daily activities that occur there such as fishing, farming, and raising livestock.

Families expressed their pride in their territory and its importance to birds. They were also delighted to see photos of their children participating in the activities. At the end of the talk an Apompo tree was donated and planted in the schoolyard, a symbol of the connection between water and birds, and offering a new refuge for the birds.

A young student in a red uniform is participating in a bird-matching activity, placing a label on a chart titled Siluetas de Aves (Bird Silhouettes). The chart features black bird silhouettes, and students are matching bird names to their corresponding shapes using colorful labels. Another student’s hand is also seen placing a label.

The Final Birdwatching Expedition

The culmination of these activities was a bird watching expedition. Participants were fascinated by the sightings of a variety of birds in their natural habitat. With binoculars in hand, children and their parents observed resident and migratory birds, marveling at species like the The black-collared hawk (Busarellus nigricollis), Great Egret (Ardea alba), and White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi). This experience cemented their appreciation for the local wetlands and the importance of conserving these natural areas.

A Lasting Impact

This series of workshops not only taught the children of 20 de Noviembre Elementary School about birds but also instilled a deep sense of appreciation and responsibility towards their environment. Through interactive workshops, practical experiences, and community involvement, the children and their families have become ambassadors for bird conservation in their region. The echoes of their enthusiasm and commitment to protecting birds will undoubtedly resonate in their actions for many years to come.

A group of children in red uniforms participate in an outdoor birdwatching activity. A woman with red hair, wearing a gray shirt and jeans, helps a student adjust binoculars. Other children also use binoculars or hold bird identification sheets. Behind them, posters with bird silhouettes and anatomy diagrams are hanging on a tree.

Alas Libres sincerely thanks Ecopil Arte Crea Conciencia AC for its essential support in making the workshops possible. Additionally, it extends its gratitude to the teachers and 20 de Noviembre Elementary School, as well as to the parents and children who participated in the activities.

Photos courtesy of Alas Libres

Article written by Daniela Caisaguano