Birds
Session 5 - Birds
We are learning to:
build our understanding of birds
observe bird features
I will know I'm successful if:
I can observe and appreciate birds
I can identify some birds based on their features
I can record bird features
Sulphur-crested cockatoo
Red wattlebird
Superb blue fairy wren (male)
Currawong
Share your work
We'd love you to share with us. Take a photo of a bird, or take a photo of some evidence of a bird, e.g., a feather, prints or a nest. Or maybe you'd like to record your favourite bird call and upload a soundscape. Use the 'Share my files' button below. Please note that you must be a NSW Department of Education student to use the form. All files will be linked to your Student Portal. Photos will be shared in our gallery.
Red wattlebird in flight. Notice the shape of the tail and wings are curved in flight.
What you need
patience! (birds might fly out of the picture sometimes)
a bird or evidence of birds to photograph
something to take a photo with (phone/iPad/tablet or camera)
feathers (optional)
magnifying glass or magnifying app (optional)
If you can't get outside look at birds from your window or balcony or listen to bird calls
Please don't feed birds human food.
Please ask your parents/carers for permission before using a camera or device outdoors.
Wash or sanitise your hands after handling feathers.
Birdwatching tips
For best success:
go when birds are active (early morning, later afternoon, after rain)
move slowly, be quiet
stalk: 5 steps, stop, 3 steps, stop. The bird might get used to you.
be patient!
sit, or get down low. Be more like a friend and less like a foe.
stop, listen, look. Where did that call come from? Follow that direction with your eyes.
call and listen
Identifying birds
There are many features that can help you identify birds, including:
size
body shape,
tail shape (e.g. straight, upright, down, fancy or fanned)
colour
beak shape
types of feet
types and colours of feathers
call
other bird evidence (e.g. distinctive droppings, scratching or chewings) and behaviour
Microscope images
More on Birds
We are all bird watchers! Ever hear the kookaburras chorus before rain, small birds declare the weather is clearing, koels calling on the summer or silver gulls (or sea gulls) squawking near the beach? Learn more through the following resources.
Enjoy this video of bird calls made by students as part of Bournda Environmental Education Centre's Bird Olympics.
Maybe you'd like to have a bird call competition at your school or with your family?
Work through some great activities from Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre to learn about bird beak adaptations. Targeting Stage 3 Science and Technology outcomes.
Feathers are not just for flying
Hear a story about birds, learn about feathers, look out for birds at Chipping Norton Lake and the Georges River.
Identify and count some birds with these resources from Georges River Environmental Education Centre.
Birds of Sydney Parks and Gardens: Identify some of these birds using this excellent bird identification chart.
Birdlife Australia: Check out their collection of resources to help you identify birds, including this colourful poster.
BirdLife Australia: Fun quizzes and brain teasers to check your bird knowledge.
Birds in Backyards Top 40 Bird Songs: Identify birds by their calls. This collection by Fred Van Gessel features bird calls mostly from around Sydney. Listen and learn how to identify birds by their calls.
Atlas of Living Australia: Search for any species by name. The archive holds millions of records, images, information and sound recordings for some of the animals. You can also find out where animals have been sighted and contribute to citizen science projects.
Australian Museum: Fact sheets about many of our native birds. The Australian Museum also houses a grand collection of eggs, feathers, nests and birds. This Brahminy Kite (photo above) lives along the coast of NSW.
Sea Eagle CAM: Watch white-bellied sea eagles nest and raise their young in this Sea Eagle live cam feed from a protected nesting site in Sydney Olympic Park.
Cornell Bird Academy: Find out about the different types of bird feathers and bird anatomy at the Cornell Bird Academy. This fiery-throated hummingbird has vivid and iridescent feathers to attract a mate. Note: they are based on birds of the northern hemisphere.
Nature Soundmap: Explore an incredible library of soundscapes with descriptions of animals and where they were recorded.