It is not a surprise that scientists discover new species of plants or animals daily. However, recent studies have shown that the number of bird species found in the world has just about doubled. Now that is significant. While reading an article in the current issue of Science & Children, a publication of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), I discovered that scientists believe the number of birds species is estimated at about 18,000. What we thought we knew about bird species, was apparently only half of what is actually out there. Does this mean that all of the sudden there are more birds? Not exactly. What scientists have started to study birds is something called morphology. This is when scientists are looking at the physical characteristics of the birds, such as plumage pattern and color, as well as the genetics of the birds that are sampled. What does this mean to me? My students? My school? It only shows that the process of engaging students in the natural world, through an activity such as FeederWatch, is an extremely important Citizen Science tool for the scientific community to help with data and research.
This past fall, 4th grade students at Canaan Elementary School started a year-long project that focused on the adaptations of birds. This group of students researched a well-known bird called the Bobolink and discovered things about the bird such as migration patterns, habitat and diet. These students became so interested in their bird project, which their teacher, Mr. Henry also decided to start teaching the students how to identify birds they can find right in their own schoolyard. Students quickly became knowledgeable in the different bird species that frequently visited their class bird feeders right outside of their classroom windows. Project FeederWatch is a great way to help the students record their data, participate in Citizen Science and help provide scientists with important information about birds in Canaan, New Hampshire. Mr. Henry’s class is planning to continue their research and data collections for the remainder of the school year. This spring, the 4th grade class will expand their adaptations unit to focus on creating a naturalized area in their outdoor classroom. A meadow with native plant species will be established and will encourage a living area for organisms such as mice or voles. This space will be conducive for larger birds of prey to find a food source. Students will not only help with establishing the meadow, but will also help with construction of nesting boxes for the American Kestrel. As their naturalized area is constructed, the students will continue with their data collection for Project FeederWatch in hopes to discover new species of birds visiting their schoolyard.
To read more about the increased number of bird species or other great articles for science teachers, you can visit the NSTA’s Science & Children Journal online and look for the February 2017 issue.
To learn more about Project FeederWatch and how 30 years of data has helped ornithologists to learn new insights about backyard birds, check out the Winter 2017 issue of Living Bird magazine. A publication by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
By Michelle Amato
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