The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon have teamed up to sponsor The Great Backyard Bird Count. During designated days each year, kids count the number of local birds they see for 15 minutes. They keep track of each type of bird and the greatest number they see together. For example, if they see one cardinal and then they see five cardinals together, they report the five together. During the counting period, children enter their bird counts online. They learn which types of birds they see most in the winter and how their observations compare to others around the country.
Kids love fun facts. Ask them to research the birds that match fun facts and make a notebook with a page dedicated to each bird. For example, ask them to find information about a bird that can't fly, the fastest known bird, the smallest bird, the largest flying bird, the bird with the biggest eyes or the best talker. Include as many birds as you want. Their notebook should contain a picture or coloring sheet and a report form for each bird.
This activity from PBS helps kids understand that all birds do not eat exactly alike and that a bird's beak determines what type of food it can eat. In this challenge, students use various objects to simulate different birds' beaks. They attempt to pick up individual items -- beans, marbles, rubber bands and pennies -- using these beaks one at a time. On the experiment sheet provided, they record the number of each item they picked up with each beak. Discussion questions direct students to the conclusion that a bird's beak helps it survive in a particular habitat.
Make a simple bird feeder using a recycled 2-liter soda bottle and a margarine tub lid. Cut two triangles near the top of the bottle. Punch two holes on opposite sides near the bottom. With the bottle upside down, thread heavy string to hang the feeder. Remove the cap from the bottle and trace the opening in the center of the tub lid. Cut it out and place it over the bottom opening. Place the cap on after the margarine lid to hold it in place. Fill it with seed and hang. Observe the feeder at different times of the day and record how many and which kind of birds you see.