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Chapter 13: Vertebrate Animals
Bird Counts

Birds can be found almost everywhere. No single place is best. You can see them in many different habitats - in a city park or an open field, along the riverbank, or at the shore. Many bird-watchers make their observations in the early morning when birds are most active. While bird-watching, care must be taken not to scare the birds with movement or noise. It's simple to get started bird-watching. You can attract birds to your yard at home or at school by filling a bird feeder with seeds that birds like most. Then, sit back and observe the birds while they enjoy your hospitality.

 

Recognize the Problem

What type of bird is present in your neighborhood in the largest number?

 

Form a Hypothesis

Think about the types of birds that you observe around your neighborhood. What types of food do they eat? Do all birds come to a bird feeder? Make a hypothesis about the type of bird that you think you will see most often at your bird feeder.


     Goals

  • Observe the types of birds in your neighborhood.

  • Research how to attract birds to a bird feeder.

  • Build a bird feeder.

  • Identify the types of birds observed.

  • Graph your results in order to communicate them with other students.

 


     Data Sources
Test Your Hypothesis

    Plan
  1. Research general information about how to attract and identify birds. Determine where you will make your observations.

  2. Search reference materials to find out how to build a bird feeder. Do all birds eat the same types of seeds?

  3. What variables can you control in this activity? How long will you make your observations? Does the season or the weather conditions affect your observations?

  4. What will you do to identify the birds that you do not recognize?

 

    Do

  

  1. Make sure your teacher approves your plan before you start.

 

  1. Record your data in your Science Journal each time you observe your bird feeder.
Analyze Your Data


  1. Describe the location where you made your observations and the time of year.

  2. Calculate the total number of each type of bird by adding the numbers you recorded each day.

 


  1. Graph your data. Will your results be best displayed in a line, circle, or a bar graph?

  2. Post your data in the table below.

 
Draw Comclusions


  1. What type of bird was present in your neighborhood in the largest number?

  2. Did all of your classmates' data agree with yours? Why or why not?

  3. Compare and contrast your observations with the observations posted by other students on the

 

Glencoe Science Web Site. Map the data you collect from the Web site to recognize patterns in bird populations.

  1. Many birds include an enormous number of insects in their diet. Infer the need for humans to maintain a healthy environment for birds.

Post Your Data
 
Date
Location
Bird Species
Number of each Species
Observations
Date
Location
Bird Species
Number of each Species
Observations
Date
Location
Bird Species
Number of each Species
Observations
Date
Location
Bird Species
Number of each Species
Observations
Date
Location
Bird Species
Number of each Species
Observations
* Name:
* City:
* State:
* School:
 

* Required
 
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