SCIENCE The indigenous peoples of northern Australia have long told tales about raptors intentionally starting fires in order to lure their prey into the open. Now, a scientific study has documented these “firehawks.” (International Business Times) It’s the Year of the Bird, and that apparently includes fire-starting raptors. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas A … Continue reading Is This Bird an Arsonist?
ENVIRONMENT Among Puerto Rico’s displaced residents is an entire flock of critically endangered parrots. (Atlas Obscura) How are conservationists working to support Puerto Rican parrots? Use our activity to learn more about captive breeding. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The great Atlas Obscura article describes the Puerto Rican parrot, also called the iguaca, as … Continue reading Mystery of the Missing Puerto Rican Parrots
Kelly Blais challenged her 8th-grade science students to design a bird adapted to a specific biome, considering environmental pressures that could threaten the bird’s survival. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Building a Bird’s-Eye View of the World
ENVIRONMENT Unfortunately, the popular meme speaks the truth: You really, really shouldn’t feed ducks bread. (Popular Science) What do ducks eat? Learn a little more about mallards with our great resource! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas So, most people have been feeding ducks all wrong. Why do experts recommend not feeding ducks bread crumbs? … Continue reading Stop Feeding Ducks Bread
SCIENCE Hummingbirds have evolved a clever way of coping with the cold—one we might mimic on a mission to Mars. (Nat Geo News) It’s hard to take a bad photo of a hummingbird, but this is one of our favorites. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Why are winter temperatures hard on North America’s hummingbirds? … Continue reading How Do Hummingbirds Survive the Winter? What Does This Have to Do with a Mission to Mars?
