Bird Beaks and Feet Activity

Beak Type Adaptation:

The beaks of birds have their job or function based on their shape and size. Study the “beak

types” information below.

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Beak Type Adaptation Questions:

Answer the questions below using the “Beak Type Adaptation Pictures” (on page 1). Be sure to

use CSA and write using the BE SMART format below.

B – Begin with the question E – Examples and Evidence S – Sentences are complete M – Mechanics: spelling/grammar A – All parts of question answered and all lines used R – Repeat key words from the question and use correct vocabulary T – Thinking – explain your thinking!

1. What are some of the foods the birds in the pictures might eat? List at least 3.

2. Birds living near lakes, ponds or the ocean are most likely to eat the following organisms.

3. If you see birds walking around a lawn in front of your house, what types of things could

serve as a food supply for these birds?

4. Explain why dead or diseased trees can serve as a food source for some birds.

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Foot Type Adaptation:

The feet of birds have their job or function based on their shape and size. Study the “Feet

Types” information below.

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Foot Type Adaptation Questions:

Answer the questions below using the “Foot Type Adaptation Pictures” (on page 3). Be sure to

use CSA and write using the BE SMART format.

1. What type of foot has two toes in front, 2 behind, and is used for climbing?

2. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, is long and used to walk in water?

3. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used for swimming?

4. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 in back, and contains long claws (talons)?

5. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used to sit on a branch?

6. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used for walking on water?

7. What type of foot has two toes in front and is used for running?

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Bird Beaks and Feet Activity

Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptations:

The place in which a bird lives supplies the animal with food. Using each of the birds provided in

the “Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptations” pictures, determine the type of area in which they live.

List these habitats (place where they live) in the table below under “Habitat”. Use the “Beak

Type Adaptation” pictures to determine the type of each beak based on its shape and function.

Some beak types may be used more than once. Place the beak type in the column marked “Beak

is for”. Use the “Foot Type Adaptation” pictures to determine the type of feet each bird has.

Some foot types may be used more than once. Place the foot type in the column marked “Feet

are for”.

**Copy the table below into your science notebook and fill it in.**

Name of Bird Habitat (where

they live)

Beak is for Feet are for

Woodpecker

Quail

Pelican

Eagle

Falcon

Robin

Ostrich

Hummingbird

Heron

Whippoorwill

Jacana

Crossbill

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Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptation Pictures:

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Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptation Pictures continued:

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Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptation Pictures continued:

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Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptations Questions:

Answer the questions below based on what you have learned about birds. Use the “Beak Type”

and “Feet Type” Adaptations pictures to help you. Be sure to use CSA and write using the BE

SMART format.

1. Based on the talons found on an eagle, what type of beak would it contain?

2. A falcon looks like it has perching feet. What type of claws does it contain based on the

hooked beak?

3. Which bird contains the longest legs? What type of food do you think it eats?

4. If you found a bird with climbing feet, what type of food would you expect it to eat?

5. Which of the birds live near water? How can you tell?

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Bird Beaks and Feet KEY Beak Type Adaptation Questions:

1. What are some of the foods the birds in the pictures might eat? List at least 3.

seeds, meat, insects, nectar, plants

2. Birds living near lakes, ponds or the ocean are most likely to eat the following

organisms.

fish, water (aquatic) plants, amphibians, small invertebrates (insects, worms)

3. If you see birds walking around a lawn in front of your house, what types of things

could serve as a food supply for these birds?

worms, insects

4. Explain why dead or diseased trees can serve as a food source for some birds.

worms and insects (decomposers) are in the trees

Foot Type Adaptation Questions:

1. What type of foot has two toes in front, 2 behind, and is used for climbing?

climbers

2. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, is long and used to walk in

water? waders

3. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used for swimming?

swimmers

4. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 in back, and contains long claws

(talons)? predators

5. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used to sit on a

branch? perchers

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6. What type of foot has three toes in front, 1 behind, and is used for walking on

water? waders (Jacana has wading feet that allow it to walk on water)

7. What type of foot has two toes in front and is used for running? runners

Name of Bird Habitat (where they

live)

Beak is for Feet are for

Woodpecker Trees Drilling holes Climbing

Quail Trees (nest on

ground)

Cracking seeds Perching

Pelican Pond, ocean, lake

(near water)

Scooping Swimming

Eagle Trees Tearing meat Catching prey

Falcon Trees Tearing meat Catching prey

Robin Trees Catching insects Perching

Ostrich Open land, prairie Filtering Running

Hummingbird Meadows Probing (nectar) Perching

Heron Pond, ocean, lake

(near water)

Filtering Wading

Whippoorwill Trees (nest on

ground)

Catching insects Perching

Jacana Pond, ocean, lake

(near water)

Filtering Wading

Crossbill Trees Cracking seeds

(crossed to get

seeds out of cone)

Perching

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Bird Beaks and Feet Adaptations Questions:

1. Based on the talons found on an eagle, what type of beak would it contain? For tearing meat

2. A falcon looks like it has perching feet. What type of claws does it contain based

on the hooked beak?

Sharp claws (predator)

3. Which bird contains the longest legs? What type of food do you think it eats?

Heron (or Jacana); filters insects and small invertebrates from water

4. If you found a bird with climbing feet, what type of food would you expect it to

eat?

Insects from the wood of trees

5. Which of the birds live near water? How can you tell?

Heron and Jacana – wading feet Pelican – swimming feet