BACKGROUND:
Most of the birds
that students see are wild. They are one of the few wild organisms
that children can identify in the country and in the city. All children
know what is meant by "to be free as a bird".
Birds have no teeth
and their jaws have a hard covering called the beak or bill. The
bill is adapted to the ways in which birds eat and to what they eat.
Some birds can be a carnivore or meat eaters. A bird that eats worms
is a carnivore. A filter feeder uses its bill to filter water
for its food. Many water birds are filter feeders. A herbivore
eats plants. A hummingbird eats nectar and is considered a herbivore.
An omnivore can eat plants and meat. A bird that eats worms and seeds
are considered an omnivore.
Birds feet can also
help in determining how they live. Feet that are webbed means that
the bird lives in water.
PROCEDURE:
- Give students the bird worksheet.
Students will color the different types of beaks that show how different
birds eat. They will use this sheet during lab, so make sure that
they don't throw their sheets away. Also on the coloring sheet are
ways to identify the type of bird's feet and observation of the feet can
yield clues to the use of a particular bird's feet in his particular
habitat.
- Point out to the students that the size
of the pictures do not represent the true proportions. They are to
look at the overall shape for identification. Identifying birds can
be a rewarding experience for children. However, you must give them
clues to observe.
- The worksheet shows the difference
between bird beaks that are carnivores and herbivores. Discuss with
students that the shape of the bill (long and broad--usually water) or
beak (short--usually land birds) is important, not only for identification,
but also to find out how the animal eats. Also, note the picture
of the "tools" that explain how the beak works. The bird's feet also
give clues to whether a bird is a predator or not.
- The worksheet shows the difference
between predators, insect eaters, seed crushing, filter feeders, and fish
eaters. The feet also illustrate the differences between swimming,
catching prey, climbing, perching, and wading.
- You may want to use books in
your library or the Internet to show students a variety of birds.
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