The Beak Game
Gather as many of the following items as you can to represent foods birds eat.
Food Resources:
Macaroni (small animals), goldfish crackers (fish), gummy worms (earth worms), chocolate sprinkles (ants), peanuts, sunflower seeds, mini- marshmallows (grubs/caterpillars), dry cereals (insects), fruit juice (nectar). – This are successions, which you can adapt according to availability and fantasy.
Beaks (utensils):
Clothespin, toothpick, straw, spoon, small plastic scoop, tweezers/small scissors.
Hold one type of “beak” in one hand and keep the other hand behind your back. With one type of food in front of you, try to gather as much food as possible in 15 seconds. Keep in mind, your survival depends on your ability to gather food! After 15 seconds, try another beak and gather food for another 15 seconds. Repeat these steps for each type of beak.
Which beak was most successful in gathering each type of food?
Bird beaks are like the tools you used in this activity. Can you match the shape/function of any of the tools with any real beaks? The shape of a bird’s beak is a critical adaptation for their survival because it helps them gather the food within their habitat. Different beaks are better suited for different foods. Next time you see a bird, take a look at its beak and see if you can tell what it eats!
Meanwhile, you can compare the pictures. Which tools resemble which beaks? Can you find matching birds in your bird book?
Hands-On Activity
MAKE A PERCH FEEDER
Supplies
- 1-liter soda bottle, thoroughly cleaned
- Craft knife
- 2 wooden spoons
- Small eye-screw
- Twine/string for hanging
Instructions
- Draw a 1/2-inch asterisk on the side of a clean 1-liter soda bottle (about 4 inches from the bottom).
- Rotate the bottle 90 degrees and draw another asterisk 2 inches from the bottom.
- Draw a 1 inch diameter circle opposite each asterisk.
- Have an adult use a craft knife to slit the asterisk lines and cut out the circles.
- Insert a wooden spoon, handle first, through each hole and then through the opposite asterisk.
- Remove the bottle cap and twist a small eye screw into the top of it for hanging.
- Fill your feeder with birdseed, recap it, and use a length of twine to hang it from a tree or on your balcony.
