Ecology of Birds

Identification, Behavior, and Attracting Birds

Anatomy of a Bird

• Anatomical terms of a bird = see pages 10-11 in Field Guide to the Birds of North America

• Compare structure and functions of different types of feathers

Distribution Maps

• Range maps: page 15

• Interpret year-round, winter range, breeding range, etc

Identification of Local Birds

• We will develop a check-list for Archmere Academy campus

• You will visit and describe a variety of habitats to observe birds

• You will ID using just your eyes, binoculars and/or a spotting scope

• We will learn bird songs

Recording your Identifications

• In your journal, you will keep a list of all birds species you see

• If you can not identify the bird, make a sketch and indicate colors and field marks

• By the end of the semester, your goal is to have a list of at least 25 species - and to have seen new species

Learning Bird Calls

• Using the Bird Identiflier and working in groups, pick out some bird calls you choose to master

Behavior

• Watch a feeder or other location with several birds for 15 consecutive minutes

• Record species, numbers of individuals and amount of time at a specific spot

• Describe interactions

Attracting Birds @ home and on campus

• We will build boxes to put on campus• www.50birds.com/MPPhoebeP#43024

• We will build bird feeders from 2 L soda bottles which will be placed outside the glasshouse windows and/or or at your homes for observations

Rubrics for Birding Unit

Standard A B C

Id:- visual 25 20 15

Id - call 8 5 2

Behavior obs 15 10 5

List

Complete and organized

Somewhat complete or somewhat organized

Not complete and not organized