Our Dorris Place Science Club studied water this year. One series of lessons were on animals along the L.A. River. In preparation for our trip to the river we studied the birds we might see using the laminated folding local bird guides. We discussed the adaptations various birds might have and what advantage different types of legs, wings, and beaks might bring. Then we spent one meeting with the beaks lesson. We had the students in small groups each with a different "beak". We used clothes pins, pipettes, plastic spoons, and bamboo skewers. They had to vie for the "food" (washers, poppy seeds, marbles, and toothpicks) and put it into their "stomach" - paper cup. We asked what would happen to the birds who got plenty of the food versus the ones who got very little.
One afternoon we went on our trip along the river near our school. There is a dirt bottom and so lots of plants. The students shared binoculars and the bird guides. We saw lots of grebes, teal and cinnamon teals ducks. One heron was spotted and we were overflown by a large flock of sparrows which then swooped over the swampy ares.
At the next meeting we discussed what we had seen and the birds' adaptations to their environment. We talked about legs, feet, beaks and coloring. The students were then asked to design their own bird. They drew and colored them. Each part must be labelled to explain why that part would be an advantage to the bird. We shared them the next week.
Birds In The City is a part of LAEP Learning Exchange.