High Flying Facts
Birds are amazing creatures, each with their own adaptations. So what are some of these adaptations and why are they so special?
Watch this introductory video and explore our investigative and project prompts before enjoying the additional activities.
An Adaptation is a evolutionary and specialized trait (whether physical or behavioral) that helps an animal to survive.
Investigative Prompt
Bird Evidence
On your next trip to a park or walk through the neighborhood, try to find some nests and see some birds! Look for birds flying overhead, sitting in a tree or on a telephone pole. You may need binoculars!
Did you find any nests like these?
- A nest on the ground
- A nest in a tree
- A nest made of sticks
- A nest made of mud
- A nest made of man-made material
Could you find any of these birds?
- A nest on the ground
- A nest in a tree
- A nest made of sticks
- A nest made of mud
- A nest made of man-made material
Investigative Resources
Try these places to look for birds.
- Near a creek or river
- On a lake
- Near neighborhood flowers or bushes
- Up a tree in a local park
Project Prompt
Option 1: Build A Bird’s Nest
Find some items in or around your house, like spaghetti, string, or fur, and try to make a nest of your own!
Weave them together, stick them together with water or glue, or try to find another way of making a solid nest. Then, test it out! See how much your nest can hold without breaking. It can be big or small, be as creative as you want.
Once you’re happy with your nest, share some pictures with Majestic View on Facebook or hang it near your house to show it off.
Option 2: Match The Beak Challenge
Birds need different beaks because they eat different things. Some beak good for catching fish wouldn’t be very good at drinking nectar, right?
Ask a parent’ s permission to use some different tools from the kitchen to act as different beaks (tongs, straws, nutcrackers, basters, and strainers are good), and a few bowls filled with different food items. You can use water, honey, cereal, nuts, berries and more.
Now, experiment with the tools to get the food, and try to find out which beak/tool works best to pick up which food!
Does a straw-like beak work better for honey or water? Would a beak like tongs work for water or cereal? Once you’ve figured out what tool works best with which food, try to find a bird with a similar beak! Does a hummingbird’s beak look or act like a straw or a strainer?
Project Resources
