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Image: Jean and Fred Hort, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
Learning intentions
Learning intentions
We are learning about how bird beaks are adapted to suit the food they eat.
Teacher information
Teacher information
Structural adaptations of living things are developmental features and characteristics that aid survival in particular environments. For birds, the shape of their beaks are highly specialised for the food they eat. In this learning experience, we will look at three common bird beak shapes that are commonly found among our native birds.
Please note, these are not the only bird beak adaptations. There are many other beaks that have adapted to suit the purpose of food collection.
Non-digital Lesson: Not online? Download the lesson here.
Stage: S3 KLA: Science
Outcome: Living World - Stage 3 ST3-4LW-S
Watch Lea as she introduces us to the world of bird beaks.
After watching the intro video, in your nature journal, science book or notepad, write the answer to the following:
What is an adaptation?
Video: Bird beak adaptations intro (56 sec)
Watch Lea as she introduces us to the world of bird beaks.
After watching the intro video, in your nature journal, science book or notepad, write the answer to the following:
What is an adaptation?
Task 1: Gather information
Task 1: Gather information
Watch the 3 beak specific videos below.
Can you name a bird from each of the three beak adaptation categories?
Video: Bird beak adaptation - seed eaters (1:59min)
Video: Bird beak adaptation - honey eaters (0:56min)
Video: Bird beak adaptation - meat eaters (1:07min)
Extension: Investigate what native plant species you could put in a garden to attract honey-eater birds.
Task 2: Sketch the beaks
Task 2: Sketch the beaks
Have a look at the picture of the Birds in Ku-ring-gai Chase signpost.
In your nature journal, sketch each of the three types of beaks (just the beaks) and label their features.
Extension: Choose one bird from this picture and prepare a research report on its habitat, diet and appearance. Note any other adaptations the bird might have eg. colour, claws.
Task 3: Bird watching
Task 3: Bird watching
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Spend this time sitting very still in your backyard or looking out of your window.
Watch for birds and do your best to identify the beak type and keep a tally of the birds you can see in each category (seed eaters, honey eaters, meat eaters, unknown).
Pro tip: Birds are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon and they are least active on windy days!
Extension: Use the poster from Birds in Backyards to identify some of the birds you have seen.
BIB_NSWposter_FA WEB.pdfTask 4: Quiz
Task 4: Quiz
Time to test your beaky knowledge. Take the quiz below.
You may like to take a screenshot of your results and share it with your teacher.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Video: Bird Feeding Adaptations: How Beaks are Adapted to What Birds Eat | YouTube (13:00 min)
The three types of bird beak adaptations that we have looked at aren’t the only types we can find in nature.
Some birds have beaks designed to sift or scoop soil, while others have beaks that can drill into hard bark.
Investigate some other bird beak adaptations!
More activities for your nature journals!
More activities for your nature journals!
Download the Nature Journal prompts below. Print a copy and stick it into your nature journal.
My Nature Journal .pdfPage updated
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