CAS Presents Wingmasters
On Wednesday, March 6th, 1st Graders were visited by some local birds of prey. Wingmasters is an organization of raptor rehabilitators based in Massachusetts. They care for injured birds of prey. The birds of prey shown at this program are native to New England. They were all born in the wild, but because of injuries they can no longer survive on their own. Most of the birds they rehabilitate can ultimately be released back into the wild, but in some cases the birds are left permanently handicapped.
Birds of prey are also known as raptors, and they are hunting birds characterized by hooked beaks and powerful grabbing feet armed with sharp talons. Raptors can also boast the best eyesight and the sharpest hearing in the animal kingdom. Raptors include eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. The program is designed to explain predation, the birds' place at the top of the food web, their different hunting adaptations and their status in a rapidly changing world.
Ask your child about their favorite bird of prey and some of their unique adaptations! You can learn more about Wingmasters on their website!
Do you know which cardinal is the male and which is the female? Ask your 1st grader why there is such a difference in their color!
Male and Female Blue Jays don't have differences in their coloring
American Kestrel
1st Graders learned that the American Kestrel is part of the falcon family. This American Kestrel weighs only 4 ounces! It's low body weight and pointed, hard wings help it move quickly. Do you see the black markings near its eyes? Ask your child how those markings help it survive!
Ask your 1st Grader what an American Kestrel and a baseball or football player have in common?
Red-Tailed Hawk
Did you know that young Red-Tailed Hawks do not have red tail feathers?!? Ask your child about why that is! Red-Tailed Hawks can live 8-10 years in the wild and use their binocular vision for hunting, which means they can see a mouse one mile away!
Eastern Screech Owl
1st Graders were in awe of one of the smallest owls found in New England. This was a favorite! Screech owls come in three different colors: dark brown, rusty red, or gray. The Eastern Screech Owls can move its body to look like a tree trunk! Ask you child about the Eastern Screech Owl's extra camouflage at the top of its head!
Can you see the owl?
The Eastern Screech Owl is moving its body to mimic the shape of a tree trunk to camouflage even better!
The Eastern Screech Owl is a master of disguise!
Barred Owl
Can you guess how much this owl weighs? Believe it or not, this Barred Owl only weighs 1 pound! Looks are deceiving...the thousands of feathers covering its body would make you think it would weigh more! 1st Graders also learned that the Barred Owl's soft feathers, help it fly virtually silent!
