4th graders sharing their mobile on the Eastern Blue Bird
There are many habitats within the temperate deciduous forest ecosystem where birds feed, sleep, find mates, nest, and raise their young. The 4th and 5th graders at The Elisabeth Morrow School did research on the different types of birds and illustrated their research. They suspended their writing and drawings from mobiles hanging from branches collected on our campus. The research was shared with the entire class and the mobiles hung suspended from the science room ceiling from February through June.
4th graders sharing their mobile on the Eastern Blue Bird
Perching birds live in the trees, nest in the trees and eat the fruit, berries, seeds, insects and other invertebrates from or on the trees. Sparrows, finches, chickadees, tufted titmice are some of the perching birds that come to our bird feeders.
Nests:the nests of perching birds are made of materials from trees (twigs and bark) and herbaceous plants (leaves, flowers and stems). Nests are usually small and constructed on branches of trees or shrubs.
Perching Goldfinches by Sarah
Birds of prey such as osprey, eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls spend much of their time flying, soaring and hunting smaller animals in forests and over rivers and lakes. They feed on other birds, mammals, insects, and fish.
Nests: materials from trees: twigs, branches; usually quite large and constructed on tree tops or cliff ledges. Some owls nest in dead trees using woodpeckers nests.
Barn Owl, a bird of prey by Mattie
Waterfowl such as swans, geese and ducks, spend much of their time on water, swimming, sleeping and feeding on fish, amphibians and vegetation such as algae and pond plants.
Nests: materials from herbaceous plants (leaves, stems, grasses, reeds). Nests are usually built on islands or along the shore.
Tree clinging birds such as woodpeckers and nuthatches spend much of their time clinging to tree trunks searching for invertebrates such as insects to eat.
Nests: woodpeckers drill holes in dead trees with their strong bills and nest inside. Dead trees that are still standing are called "snag" and are important to the ecosystem and the future of woodpeckers and the many animals that nest in them, such as raccoons, squirrels, and owls.
Questions:
1. After reading the information on types of birds, name three (3) types of birds.
2. What do the three birds you listed above eat?
3. Where do the three birds nest?