Join us on a special trip up to Bathurst Island to record birdsongs, and learn about how you can use bird observations to create scientific inquiry in your classroom using ebird.org and birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth.

Learn about Canada's smallest duck, the Bufflehead. Besides finding a detailed physical description of North America's rarest duck, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Bufflehead is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. Don?t forget to check out the sound clips of the Bufflehead at the top of the webpage. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Get the facts about the Burrowing Owl, a bird true to its name, who nests underground. Besides finding a detailed physical description of one of western Canada's most endangered birds, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Burrowing Owl is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. Don?t forget to check out the video clips of the Burrowing Owl at the top of the webpage. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Get the facts about the Canvasback, a wild duck who only lives in North America. Besides finding a detailed physical description of one of the fastest flying ducks, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Canvasback is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. Don?t forget to check out the video and sound clips of the Canvasback at the top of the webpage. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Turn your classroom into a winter wonderland with these festive activities, videos, and interactive games for grades PreK-12. Explore different winter holidays, investigate snowflakes using math and science, create winter-themed crafts, and boost your students' energy levels during the colder months!

In the animal kingdom, there are seven living classes in the phylum Vertebrata. The Palomar College shares detailed information on each of these classes. Includes examples and photos as well as a follow-up quiz.

This variation on the classic bird beak activity demonstrates variation of beak size within a population and shows how the proportion of big-, medium-, and small-beaked birds changes in response to the available types of food. The “birds” with binder clip “beaks” live in Clipland where the large population becomes divided into two smaller populations by a mountain range. Popcorn, lima beans and marbles are the three types of food available in the two areas. Food is spread out for the birds to eat and then after 15 seconds it is counted to see whether birds have gathered enough food to survive. The big billed birds need to eat more than the medium and small billed birds to survive and each bird needs to eat more than the minimum amount of food for survival to be able to reproduce. Four years pass during the simulation and students are asked to describe what happened to the Clipbird populations and what they think caused the changes. A link to Rosemary and Peter Grant’s research on finch populations in the Galapagos is identified for those teachers who want to connect the simulation to a real life example.

This article discusses misconceptions about birds (and penguins in particular). It provides tools for formative assessment and ideas for teaching correct scientific concepts.

This activity is a field investigation where students gather population data on bird species. The students will create bar graphs and interpret their findings. Based on their experiences and data, they will write an answer to the guiding question.

This video segment from WILD TV features a man who raises pigeons as a hobby. [3:18]

Get the facts about the Downy Woodpecker, eastern North America's most common woodpecker. Besides finding a detailed physical description of the smallest member of the woodpecker family, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Downy Woodpecker is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Get the facts about the Evening Grosbeak. Besides finding a detailed physical description of this member of the finch family, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Evening Grosbeak is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

This activity is a class lab activity in which students will observe unknown rocks and learn about how they fit into the rock cycle.

Introduction to the characteristics found in different animals and using the book: Feathers and hair, what animals wearAuthor:Jennifer Ward; Jing Jing Tsong

The National Zoo features a selection of live animal cams including a live animal cam of the zoo's flamingo flock. In addition to the live cam, this site features information and pictures of other bird life at the zoo.

In this lesson plan, younger students wrap up a bird unit by making a bird mobile and then write facts on their display.

This activity is a classroom and field activity in which students record observations of birds in their natural habitat and make connections between the structure and function of the bird feet.

Get the facts about the Gray Jay. Previously known as the Canada Jay since it lives primarily in Canada's northern forests, this bird is very similar to its close relative, the Blue Jay. Besides finding a detailed physical description, you?ll also learn about some of this bird's unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Gray Jay is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

This article provides links to lessons and units about birds, bird characteristics, and penguins. Ideas for literacy integration are included, and all lessons are aligned to national standards.

This article discusses the physical and behavioral adaptations that allow birds to survive in cold climates such as the polar regions.