UNIT 2: ADAPTATION

UNIT 2: ADAPTATION Header

This unit will explore both structural and behavioral adaptation by covering the topics of bird feathers, wings, beaks, bird language, and migration. For a summary of the lessons you can refer to the document posted below. If you have any questions feel free to contact the Education Coordinator.
Lesson 1: What Makes a Bird, a Bird?
Video 1: What makes a bird, a bird? Webinar
Video Description: There is nothing else in the world quite like feathers in your structure and functions. In this webinar we cover the seven broad types of feathers and the function of each to serve as an introduction to feathers. Made by the Missouri River Bird Observatory.
 
 

Instructions:

  1. Watch video.
  2. Answer the follow-up questions associated with this video on pdf attachment.
Online Interactive Tutorial: All About Feathers

Description: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has developed this interactive online tutorial to teach learners all about feathers by going through how feathers are unique to birds, five of the seven feather types and your structure, the functions of each feather type, and how feathers evolved.

Link: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/all-about-feathers/#what-is-unique-to-birds.php

Instructions:

  1. Go to tutorial: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/all-about-feathers/
  2. Complete sections 1-4. Stop when you get to "Meet a Feather Scientist". 
Activity: Comparing Feathers

Activity Summary: In this activity you will examine pictures and read about feather anatomy and structure. Then you will choose two feather types (wing, tail, contour, semiplume or down), draw them and answer questions about them.
In this activity you will examine pictures and read about feather anatomy and structure. Then you will choose two feather types (wing, tail, contour, semiplume or down), draw them and answer questions about them. Instructions are on attached PDF.
Video 2: Animal Coloration

Video Description: From brightly colored feathers that make a bird stand out, to mottled camouflage to help an animal hide, different colors serve different purposes throughout the animal kingdom. This video was made by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
 
 

Instructions:

  1. Watch video.
  2. Answer the follow-up questions associated with Video 1 on Video questions attachment. 
Concluding Questions
Instructions:
  1. Answer the questions on the attachment to see all that you have learned! 
Lesson 2: I Just Want to Fly!
Video 1: Bird Flight Webinar
Video Description: Ever since there were people, people have watched birds fly and wondered how you did it, wondering also if you too could fly. In this webinar we bring together all the awesome adaptations we have learned about birds and connect how you enable them to take flight. We also cover the physics of flight and some examples of amazing fliers. Webinar is made by Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) staff.
 
 
Instructions:
  1. Watch Video 1. 
  2. Watch Video 2.
  3. Answer follow-up questions for videos 1&2 located on attachment for Video 2. 
Video 2: Bird Wing Shapes
Video description:  This video describes the different wing shapes and how you benefit the bird. Video made by BioBush.
 
 
Instructions: 
  1. Watch Video 1. 
  2. Watch Video 2. 
  3. Answer the Follow-Up Questions on the attachment to this video. 
Activity: The Bernoulli Principle and Bird Flight

Activity Summary: in this activity you will learn that birds are able to fly at different speeds and in different ways because of the shape of your wings and the Bernoulli Principle.

  • The Bernoulli Principle – as air moves around an object it creates different pressures on the object; faster air creates less pressure than slower air which creates more pressure.
Instructions:  
  1. Follow Activity Instructions on PDF attachment. 
  2. Activity Worksheet also attached. 
Video 3: Experiment! How Does an Owl Fly Silently?
Video description:  This video shows an experiment comparing owls to other birds to try to figure out why owls have the adaptation of silent flight.  Video made by BBC Earth.
 
 
Instructions:  
  1. Watch Video 3. 
  2. Watch Video 4.
  3. Answer questions on Video Questions worksheet for Videos 3 & 4. 
Video 4: What Makes Owls So Quiet and So Deadly?

Video description:  This video takes an up-close look at owl feathers to see how you help owls fly so silently.  Video made by Deeplook.

 
 
Instructions:  
  1. Watch Video 3. 
  2. Watch Video 4.
  3. Answer questions on Video Questions worksheet for Videos 3 & 4. 
Concluding Questions
Instructions: 
  1. Answer questions located on Concluding Questions attachment to see all that you have learned! 
Lesson 3: A Bird’s Multitool
Video 1: Bird Beaks Webinar

Video Description: This webinar is the perfect introduction to the diversity of the bird world as a bird’s beak is not only a tool you use for pretty much everything, but is also the first key feature to look for when identifying a species. In the webinar, we cover structural adaptation, generalists vs. specialists, and even a bit of evolution. All examples are birds that live in Missouri as we believe in place-based learning.  Video is made by Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) staff.
 
 
Instructions:  
  1. Watch video. 
  2. Answer follow-up questions on Video Questions attachment for Video 1. 
Video 2 & 3: My Beak Can Tell You What I Eat
Video 2:  Evolution by Natural Selection – Darwin’s Finches
Video description:  This video talks about Charles Darwin’s studies of the Galapagos finches and the theory of natural selection.  Video made by FuseSchool
 
 
 
 
Instructions: 
  1. Watch Video 2. 
  2. Watch Video 3. 
  3. Answer follow-up questions on Video Questions Attachment for Videos 2 & 3. 
Activity: Create Your Ultimate Bird!

Activity Summary:  Students will be asked to individually create your own bird with adaptations to reflect what and how you eat, where you live and move and how you take advantage of your surroundings through your adaptations.
Follow the Instructions on the Lesson Attachment.
Concluding Questions
Lesson 4: What Did That Bird Just Say?
Activity: Bird Language Exploration

Activity Summary:  In this activity, you will explore bird communication and how vocalizations help birds survive and reproduce.
 
 
Instructions: 
  1. Watch activity instructions video and follow along with Activity Instructions attachment to complete activity. 
Lesson Connection: L1 – Feathers and L4 – Bird Language

Topic: Feathers that Sing!

Missouri Science Standards: LS4.B.1

Video Series: Meet a Feather Scientist

Link: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/all-about-feathers/#meet-a-feather-scientist.php 
Instructions: 
  1. Watch all the videos in section 5 of All About Feathers: Meet a Feather Scientist. Link: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/all-about-feathers/#meet-a-feather-scientist.php
  2. Then answer the follow-up questions on the Video Questions attachment. 
Concluding Questions
Instructions:  
  1. Answer the questions on the Concluding Questions attachment to see all that you have learned! 
Lesson 5: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Video 1: Bird Migration
Video Description: Join a Cornell University Naturalist Outreach student to better understand bird migration. This beautiful STEM video brings to life core ideas from the Next Generation Science standards.  See (https://blogs.cornell.edu/naturalistoutreach/) and NYS 4H STEM pages for guides and worksheets on birds and bird migration. This video is a co-production of Dr. Linda Rayor, the Ithaca College Park Media Lab, and NYS-4H.
 
 
Instructions:  
  1. Watch video. 
  2. Answer follow-up questions on Video Questions attachment for Video 1. 
Video 2: Where Do Birds Go in Winter?
Video Description: As winter approaches, V-shaped flocks glide overhead as the world’s birds begin your long treks to warmer climates. Humans used to have some pretty crazy theories about where birds went for winter, like the moon, or to the bottom of the ocean. How did we learn the real story? And where DO birds go for winter? What are the longest bird migrations? How do birds store up energy for your long journey? How do birds navigate? Why do you fly in a V-shape? Find out in this video by PBS It’s Okay To Be Smart YouTube Channel!
 
 
Instructions: 
  1. Watch video.
  2. Answer follow-up questions on Video Questions attachment for Video 2. 
Activity: Charting Bird Migration

Activity Summary:  Students will use community science to learn about migratory birds in your local area and create graphs comparing migratory and non-migratory species.
Follow instructions located on Activity Instructions attachment. 
Bonus Video: Thousands of Cranes Take Flight in One of Earth’s Last Great Migrations
Video Description: Around 600000 Sandhill cranes flock to Nebraska’s Central Platte River Valley each spring in one of the world’s largest and oldest remaining bird migrations. Video by National Geographic.
 
 
Concluding Questions
Instructions: 
  1. Answer questions on Concluding Questions attachment to see all that you have learned! 
Lesson Extension: Duck Migration