Feathers, Beaks, and Feet

Magnified chicken feather.

This month I taught two lessons about birds for our Thursday homeschool group.  The first lesson was about bird feathers, beaks, and feet.  The second lesson was about bird migration.

Feathers, Beaks, and Feet Lesson:

• First we read the book What Makes a Bird a Bird?  by Garelick.  Then we discussed different types of feathers (contour, flight, and down) and feather parts (shaft, vane, barbs, barbules).

• "Focus on Feathers" Activity (Hands-on-Nature by Lingelbach & Purcell).  Students examined various feathers with magnifying lenses.  They also experimented to determine if feathers float or sink, and what happens if drops of water are dropped on feathers.

• Next we discussed different types of bird beaks and feet and how they are used. 

• "Mix and Match" Activity (Hands-on-Nature by Lingelbach & Purcell).  I used the following Pennsylvania birds for this activity: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Double-crested Cormorant, and Northern Cardinal.  For each bird, students looked at a picture of the bird and guessed what the bird might eat based on the bird's feathers, beaks, and feet.  The students "flew" to find the food.  The food choices were flower nectar, snakes, fish and seeds.

The boys and I started a list of birds we have been able to identify:
Bird Identification List

Books:  What Makes a Bird a Bird?  by Garelick