Bird Lesson
 

What are Birds?
  • Warm blooded
  • Covering of feathers and some scales
  • Heart - Four chambers
  • Takes in oxygen through lungs
  • Lays eggs
  • Most have wings and are able to fly
  • Examples - Sparrow, eagle, owl
  • Feathers
    • Contour feathers (flight feathers)
    • Down feathers
    • Preening - putting oil on feathers

    Flight Feather

Down feather

 

 

 

  • Digestion And Respiration
    • Require large amounts of energy
    • Efficient digestive system
    • Need energy to maintain body temperature

Four chambered heart
  • Reproduction and Development
  • Amniote Egg
    • Provides a complete environment for the developing embryo
  • Amniote Embryo
    • Gestation - time between fertilization and birth of offspring
    • Embryo - early stage of development
  • Kinds of Birds
    • Four most common:
      • Flightless birds
      • Water birds
      • Birds of prey (raptors)
      • Perching birds
  • Origin of Birds
Amniote Embryo

Bird Egg

 

Amniote Egg

  • Kinds of Birds
    • Four most common:
      • Flightless birds
      • Water birds
      • Birds of prey (raptors)
      • Perching birds

 
  • Origin of Birds
    • Archaeopteryx

  • Importance of Birds
    • Eat insects
    • Control populations of rats and mice

All Birds Have Scales

Research Links:

  • BirdNet From the Ornithological Council. Under birds and birding, bird checklist for all types of birds with links. Page has organizations; a newsletter; research news and more.
  • Bird Anatomy Drawing of a bird; click on an area to get name and description of the anatomical part.
  • Birder's World Info about the magazine; under "Amazing Birds" information such as how birds hang on to branches; feather design; links
  • BirdWatcher's Digest Packed with information about birds; migration; resources.
  • ZooNet Wonderful pictures of many different birds. Browse.
  • National Audubon Society Kids links; teacher pages; under section Educate Yourself the section on Wild Wings Heading North is particularly interesting in tracking Canadian Snow Geese
  • Homes for Birds How to build birdhouses for different kinds of birds.
  • Ornithology Links Large number of Internet sites.
  • Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Factsheets such as "How birds keep our world safe from insects"; Bird of the Month features a particular kind of bird with information and pictures.
  • Bird Links Lots of excellent links; an Education Index top spot. Must visit.
  • BirdOn Brief information and pictures on many kinds of birds; bird care; bird news; bird action; bird dictionary.
  • Birds Online Bird links; bird games; articles from past issues of Birds
  • Bird Feeding From Pennington Seeds. Information on bird feeders; a bird identification chart for some common birds.
  • How to Feed Wild Birds From Leisurelan Seeds. Extensive chart giving bird and types of seeds preferred.
  • National Academy of Natural Sciences Info on book series, Birds of North America. Samples given for auks, kingbirds, towhees, thrushes, chickadees, teals, red-winged blackbird and other birds.
  • The Ornithological Web Library Over 750 links in all areas as conservation, organizations; birding; population watching.
  • VIREO Slides from Academy of Natural Sciences. Section of slides available for non-profit slide lectures and slides available for other uses - contact info given for pricing.
  • The Chickadee Page Information, pictures and links on chickadees.
  • Cranes Page Lots of information and pictures. Great site.
  • Barn Owls Information; how to build a nest; how barn owls help organic farming. Advanced.
  • Online Book of Parrots An encyclopedic look at parrots.
  • The Raptor Center Raptors [birds of prey] include eagles, vultures, osprey, hawks, falcons, etc.] page has info on what to do if you find an injured bird; brief information and facts sheets on raptors under "General Information about Birds of Prey;" news; other links.
  • Roadrunner Photos from Ephesus Elementary School.
  • Birds of Costa Rica Pictures and information on the hummingbird, macaw, quetzels, and frigate birds of Costa Rica.
  • The Cardinal Page A must for Virginia's children. Info such as range, diet; culture page with songs, etc.
  • Wild Birds Unlimited Commercial site; educational resources include activities for young people as junior naturalists; info on bird houses; feeding birds; etc.
  • How Birds Fly Photographs from the book, How Birds Fly by David Goodnow.