Look up #13 – Live now

[LabofOrnithology]

This FeederWatch cam is located in the Treman Bird Feeding Garden at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Perched on the edge of both Sapsucker Woods and its 10-acre pond, these feeders attract both forest species like chickadees and woodpeckers as well as some species that prefer open environments near water like Red-winged Blackbirds.

Watch LIVE at  All About Birds  for news, updates, and more information about the pond and its surroundings.

The world of birds at your fingertips HERE

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Look up #12

[LabofOrnithology]

Birds can use their feathers for much more than flight. In some species, for example, they produce sound. The secondary wing feathers of the male Club-Winged Manakin, a bird from South America, are large and rigid. He strikes them together at about 107 times per second to create a buzzing sound, which is used during courtship displays.

The world of birds at your fingertips HERE

Look up #11

[LabofOrnithology]

Bird parents build nests of all different shapes and sizes to keep their young safe and warm. Bald Eagles, for example, build massive structures out of twigs that can be over 5 feet in diameter. Hummingbirds, such as this Cuban Emerald have a much more discreet approach. The cup-shaped nests they construct out of materials such as leaves and spiderwebs are only slightly bigger than a quarter and typically house two eggs weighing less than a gram a piece.

Look up #10

[wild vision]

Look Up #9

Great Big Story

 

“With a wingspan up to 10 feet in length, the mighty Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world. Found throughout the Andes Mountains, the condor is a national symbol for many South American countries. This massive bird has a hairless head, which will change color depending on its emotional state. Though the condor can live up to 70 years, its population is in decline, largely due to the destruction of its natural habitat” [Great big Story]

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video :

• With wings that spread up to 10ft apart
• One of the largest flying birds in the world
• Found throughout the Andes Mountains
• A national symbol
• Emotional state
• Used to attract females
• With some Condors living for more that 70 years
• It is a scavenger bird
• South American coast
• The population is in decline
• Due to the destruction of its natural habitat
• Lead poisoning from carcasses shot by hunters

 

 

Look Up #8

Lab of Ornithology

 

Birds-of-Paradise sport some of the strangest feathers in the bird world. The male King-of-Saxony takes the cake with stiff ornamental feathers (up to twice the male’s body length) sprouting from the top of his head. He also has a piercing call that sounds anything but bird-like. Filmed by Tim Laman near Tari Gap in November of 2010.  Explore the Birds of Paradise Project HERE

Free lesson plans HERE

Free Teaching Resources HERE

A map of New Guinea

 

 

Look Up #6

Great Big Story

 

The milky eagle owl, also known as Verreaux’s eagle-owl, is as powerful as it is beautiful. Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, it is the continent’s largest owl. With wingspans that can stretch up to five feet in length, its size and power make it one of only a few African birds that can hunt a porcupine successfully. While it is a dominant bird, the combined effects of habitat loss, hunting, drought and disease have drastically reduced its population.

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video :

• A milky eagle owl
• The largest African Owl
• It is found throughout Sub Saharan Africa 
• The Eagle in their name refers to their large size
• Females are much larger than males
• Over a third bigger
• They feed on a large variety of animals
• Using their sharp vision
• They spot prey
• Seizing them with their powerful talons
• A dominant bird
• Its population has seen a decline
• Due to a combination of
• Loss of suitable habitat, hunting, disease and drought
• A slow reproductive rate
• Difficult for the population to recover quickly

Look Up #5

Great Big Story

 

The toco is the largest and perhaps most recognizable of the toucan family. Its striking, brightly colored bill comprises almost half of its body surface area. Toco toucans are found throughout South and Central America, but populations have declined over the last decade due mainly to the pet trade and the destruction of their rainforest habitats.  Can this beaky bird shake off these threats?

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video :

• The largest and most recognizable
• They are found throughout Southern and Central America
• Their population has continued to decline
• Their appearance is striking
• Its iconic bill
• It is rather light
• To pluck out-of-reach fruit from trees
• They are considered extremely gregarious and social birds living in flocks
• The pet trade and the destruction of the rain forests are the main cause for decrease in population

 

 

Look Up #4

Great Big Story

 

The collared aracari is a toucan native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Bright plumage and large colorful bills give these small birds a standout color palette. At just over a foot in length, the collared aracari can weigh up to 10 ounces, but most of that size comes from its bill. Sadly, their population has been decreasing due to deforestation and hunting for the pet trade.

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video :

• Native to the Tropical Rainforests
• A gorgeous rainbow of colors
• The most distinct feature
• The upper part
• Reach just over a foot long and weigh up to 10 ounces
• They mainly eat fruit but occasionally feed on small insects
• Their population has been decreasing
• A combination of deforestation and hunting for the pet trade

 

 

Look Up #3

Lab of Ornithology

 

In order to fly at peak performance, birds must carefully maintain their feathers. This means removing dirt, excess oil, and parasites. Birds do this by running their bill from the base of a feather to the tip, a process known as preening. In addition to removing debris, preening also realigns feathers, improving their aerodynamic performance. Read more HERE

 [All about birds]