Background information:

Content information: Birds come in all shapes and sizes. The largest bird on Earth is the ostrich weighing up to 145kg while the smallest is the bee hummingbird, weighing less than 2 grams and being only 5-6cm long! For a full list of amazing bird facts – including the smelliest bird, the chattiest bird and the bird with the biggest eyes – have a look at this website.

The defining features of birds (the things that set them apart from all other animals) are their feathers and their wings. They have evolved both features over time so as to live in the trees and feed in the air. That is not to say that they can all fly: the ostrich, emu, cassawory and emu are all examples of birds that can’t fly.

Birds have evolved to suit a range of different habitat requirements and food types. Some birds live in the desert, others live on the ice in Antarctica, and others live in rainforests, grasslands or aquatic environments. Food and nesting arrangements will differ according to the environments that the birds are living in. Some birds build stick nests in trees, others build stick nests on the ground, some build mud nests in trees, others build dirt nests in the ground, some build nests in hollows or under rocks, some have nests just for themselves, others have communal nests, and others – like the Emperor Penguins – don’t use a nest at all, preferring to keep their eggs warm on their feet.

Similarly, food sources vary according to the environments that the birds have evolved in. Some birds eat insects, others eat seeds, nuts, fruit or nectar, others eat reptiles, some eat fish and others eat small mammals. (In fact, it was from looking at the beaks of finches on different islands and realizing that the finches of one island were insect feeders while the finches of another island were seed feeders, that Charles Darwin began developing his theory of evolution, that these birds had evolved to suit the resources available in their particular environment!)

Birds are often considered an indicator species in their environment, meaning the health of bird populations can serve as an indicator of the health of that ecosystem in general. And because birds occupy almost every conceivable natural habitat, they are responsive to a wide range of environmental changes. What sorts of environmental changes can affect bird populations?

Coastal development affects nesting sites and breeding patterns;
Deforestation means fewer habitats, foods and nesting sites for birds;
Water pollution means fewer habitats and habitats of lower quality, and a reduction in food sources;
Litter harms birds and other small animals when it breaks down and enters the food chain;
Invasive species compete with birds for food and nesting sites; and
Climate change is already changing natural environments, forcing birds to the edges of their natural habitats.

How can we help birds?

Planting indigenous gardens provides natural habitats, foods and nesting sites for indigenous birds;
Keep waterways clean, and consider helping to clean up a local waterway;
Keep cats inside;
Don’t litter; and
Increase awareness and appreciation with the amazing birds in your area!

Activity: Eat like a bird

Ages - 0 to 2

What to do

Using the bird related material you have collected as conversation starters, ask children to share what they know about birds.

Encourage children to look at each item and talk about how they look and feel.

Using the link of Australian birdcalls (https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/birds/featured/Top-40-Bird-Songs), play children some of the birdcalls. Do they like these birdcalls? Ask children to try and repeat these birdcalls back.

Ask children to engage in a simple role-play activity, pretending to be birds flying around the room or yard, sounding the birdcalls that they listened to. Optional: make a bird mask using the Bird mask template).

Provocations

I wonder where you can find birds?
I wonder where birds live?
I wonder how birds fly?
I wonder what sounds birds make?
I wonder what birds eat?

Possible lines of development

Make some lunch for the birds – use some fruit and bird seed to make a plate of lunch for the birds in your yard. Place the food where you think there might be birds, also leaving a bowl of water. Remind children to check the bird lunch regularly to see if the food is being eaten.
Using the beak (Bird mask template) ask children to pretend to eat from the floor or from hanging food (hang bits of food at a height where children can reach them with their mouths). Alternatively lay food out on a clean sheet or piece of paper on the floor and ask children to try and eat the food as a bird would.

Ages - 2 to 3

What to do

Preparation: Hang bits of food at a height where children can reach them with their mouths.

This activity is role-play exercise. Begin by asking your children to pretend that they are a flock of birds. Imagine that they wake up in the morning and have a bit of a sing (ask your children to have a bit of a morning sing) and especially sing to the other birds closest to them as a way of saying hello.

Ask them to stretch their wings out and give a bit of a flap.

Ask them to have a quick clean of their feathers with their beak and feet.

Are they hungry yet? Ask them to fly around the room looking for some food. Ask them to pick just one bit of hanging food and try to eat it as a bird would, without using their hands.

Is it difficult eating without their hands? Was it frustrating or was it easy?
Did they find a technique for eating the food without using their hands?
Did the food taste different because they were only able to nibble it?

Imagine being a bird and having to spend all day flying around looking for food and eating without using any hands!

Once finished eating the food (or as much as they can) ask your class of birds to prepare for bird bedtime. Sing goodnight to the other birds around them and then nestle their heads under their wings and have a snooze.

Using the Bird mask template, help students to create bird masks.

Provocations

I wonder what it’s like to have wings instead of arms?
I wonder how birds scratch themselves when they get an itch?
I wonder if all birds can fly?
I wonder what birds eat? (Some birds eat nuts and seeds, others eat insects, others eat fish, and others eat small reptiles and mammals.)
I wonder if birds have beds to sleep in? (Most birds just sleep sitting on branches in trees at night).
I wonder if birds can talk to each other? (Birds usually make a range of different sounds to indicate different things such as danger, or a mating call, or just chatting!)
I wonder if there is anything we can do to help birds? (Planting trees us a great way to help birds. Other ideas include leaving water out for the birds to drink, especially in hot weather, not polluting waterways, keeping pets away from birds, and not taking nests from trees.)

Possible lines of development

A day in the life of other native animals.
Types of birds in the yard – go outside and spend 5 minutes looking for birds.
Make birds nest using craft materials.
Birds have feathers – what types of skin do other animals have?
Listen to the Top 40 Australian bird songs: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/birds/featured/Top-40-Bird-Songs

Ages - 3 to 5

What to do

Preparation: This activity requires a little preparation. Hang bits of food at a height where children can reach them with their mouths.This activity is role-play exercise. Begin by asking your children to pretend that they are a flock of birds. Imagine that they wake up in the morning and have a bit of a sing (ask your children to have a bit of a morning sing) and especially sing to the other birds closest to them as a way of saying hello.

Ask them to stretch their wings out and give a bit of a flap.

Ask them to have a quick clean of their feathers with their beak and feet.

Are they hungry yet? Ask them to fly around the room looking for some food. Ask them to pick just one bit of hanging food and try to eat it as a bird would, without using their hands.

Is it difficult eating without their hands? Was it frustrating or was it easy?
Did they find a technique for eating the food without using their hands?
Did the food taste different because they were only able to nibble it?

Imagine being a bird and having to spend all day flying around looking for food and eating without using any hands! It must be pretty tough being a bird! Ask children to think about how we can help birds. Suggestions could include:

Plant more trees and other native plants.
Leave water out for the birds to drink, especially in hot weather.
Don’t pollute waterways, like creeks or rivers.
Don’t take nests from trees.
Keep pets away from nesting sites, and especially keep a close eye on cats around all types and sizes of birds.

Is there anything you can do at your centre to help birds? Can you work together to create a bird bath or a special bird zone at your centre?

Provocations

I wonder what it’s like to have wings instead of arms?
I wonder how birds scratch themselves when they get an itch?
I wonder if all birds can fly?
I wonder what birds eat? (Some birds eat nuts and seeds, others eat insects, others eat fish, and others eat small reptiles and mammals.)
I wonder if birds have beds to sleep in? (Most birds just sleep sitting on branches in trees at night).
I wonder if birds can talk to each other? (Birds usually make a range of different sounds to indicate different things such as danger, or a mating call, or just chatting!)

Possible lines of development

Ways to help other native animals (see Wildlife fact sheet).
Types of birds in the yard – go outside and spend 5 minutes looking for birds.
Make birds nest using craft materials.
Different types of nests – search for different types of nests online, including stick, mud, and grass.
Birds have feathers – what types of skin do other animals have?
Listen to the Top 40 Australian bird songs: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/birds/featured/Top-40-Bird-Songs

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenge and persisting when difficulty arises
Well being	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Plant bird attracting trees and shrubs in your gardens.
Leave a birdbath or water bowl out for birds, especially in hot months.
Build a nesting box for birds or provide hollows for birds to nest in.
Grow flowers containing nectar as some birds need nectar for food.

Eat Like a Bird

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Activity Details

Curriculum Mapping

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