Birds in Fact & Fiction

Bird StudyIdentify speciesIdentify body partsIdentify habitatsIdentify migrationAppreciate these living creatures

Language ArtsRead a novelRead and appreciate bird tales from around the worldRead a poem Write a poemWrite a play

Trumpet of the SwanBy: E.B. White

A family of swans live on Red Rock Lakes in Montana.Louis is a cygnet born without a voice.Louis’s father steals a trumpet to help his son.Louis leaves home to find a way to pay for the trumpet.Louis learns to depend on his friend, Sam Beaver.Louis tries to find a way back to his love, Serena.

What Makes a Bird a Bird?•A bird has wings.

•A bird has a beak.

•A bird has special feet.

•A bird has feathers.

Beaks Enable Birds to Eat

•A long narrow beak works like a straw.

•A short thick beak easily picks up grain.

•A sharp hooked beak can tear meat.

•A thick large beak can crack shells of nuts.

•A flat large beak sifts water and gathers plants.

Birds are Consumers

Birds must eat (consume) a lot of food (energy) each day.Birds can be herbivores (plant eaters), carnivores (meat eaters) or omnivores (eat plants and meats).

Bird SitesZoom School Birds and DinosaursAudubon SocietyCornell University Lab of OrnithologyGeoZoo Birds!The National Birds of Prey Center Unit and Lesson Plans

Bird Feet•Birds have two feet.

•Grasping feet are large, curved claws to snatch prey.

•Scratching feet have long thin claws to search in the soil for grains and seeds.

•Webbed feet enable water birds to use their feet like paddles

•Perching feet help birds grasp branches tightly.

•Climbing feet help birds get a good grip on tree trunks as they climb.

Birds in Motion

There are three types of flight; flapping, gliding, and hovering.

All birds don’t fly.

Some birds use their wings to swim.

Some birds walk or run.

Greater Backyard BirdwatchObserve birds for three days

Identify species

Post results to Ornithology Lab of Cornell University

What is an ornithologist?

S tu d y o f b ird s A n o rn ith o log is t is asc ien tis t w h o s tu d ies b ird s .

O rn ith o log y

Ornithologist for the DayBird watching is an inexpensive, simple hobby.You will need a field guide reference book, binoculars, a pencil, and a small notebook.

Find a comfortable spot near a place birds gather.Observe birds as they gather and feed. Best times are early morning or just before sunset.

Bird WatchingDay 1 Time/Place Bird Name Color & Markings

Day 2

Day 3

Activities

Class Bird BookClass Bird ListFeather FunMicroscope MagicSpecial SpeakerMake Fantastic Feeder for your Feathered Friends

Water on the Duck’s BackAdaptations of water birdsYou Need the Right Bill for the Job!Bird Feet are Special Feet

Family FactsSome birds build nests in trees, others build nests on the ground.Not all baby birds are helpless when they are born.Chicks are babies born to birds that build nests on the ground. Soon after they hatch they are all fluffy. They can see and run around looking for food.Ducklings run after their mother. They learn what to eat and how to swim.A baby duck learns its mother by an instinct called “imprinting.”

Dissect An EggParts of an egg are:

eggshell is strong to protect growing babylining (membrane) lines the eggshell to prevent the egg from drying outegg white (albumen) is mostly wateryolk is the yellow center and is full of food for the baby birdcloraza are the twisted strings that keep the yolk suspended and absorb any bumps or knockswhite spot is on the yolk and is where an embryo will attach during developmentIt is hard work to break out of a shell. A person should never help. This robs the baby bird of developing strength to survive.

Day or Night?Birds that actively look for food during the day are called diurnal. Robins are an example

Some birds are up all night searching the darkness for food. They are called nocturnal. Owls are an example.

MigrationMany birds live in places that get very cold in winter.They fly away to warmer places to find food.They return again in the spring to lay their eggs.Birds have instinct so they don’t get lost!