Tag: birds

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Creature Feature: Woodpeckers are Pros at Protecting their Brains

By Allie Miller and Jen Schill from the Biomimcry Institute Given that there are more than 180 species of woodpeckers worldwide, in many parts of the world, the woodpecker’s distinctive drumming is a familiar sound. These birds can peck at an astounding 8,000 to 12,000 pecks per day, and up to 20 pecks a second. With all of that activity, you’d think Woody would end … Continue reading Creature Feature: Woodpeckers are Pros at Protecting their Brains

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature

Creature Feature: Cardinal Colors

By Julie Brown, National Geographic’s Great Nature Project Winter time in the northern hemisphere is a great time to observe animal behavior and work on your species identification skills. When the trees are bare and snow comes and goes from the landscape, it is easier to see organisms whose physical appearance starkly contrasts with their habitat. Birds are easier to see without the cover of … Continue reading Creature Feature: Cardinal Colors

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature

Creature Feature: Wild Turkey

What bird is native to North America and has a distinctive gobble call? Today’s featured creature, of course! Today we’re highlighting the wild turkey in celebration of Thanksgiving. Fast Facts Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo Family Name:  Phasianidae Classification: Bird Habitat:  Woodlands Diet: Omnivore (Favorite foods include: plants and animals, including nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and even salamanders!) Size: Body, 3.6 to 3.8 ft; wingspan, 4.1 to 4.8 ft Weight: 5.5 to 18.8 lbs Average … Continue reading Creature Feature: Wild Turkey

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Meet the Real ‘Big Bird’

SCIENCE Today’s biggest flier, the royal albatross, wouldn’t have looked so big compared to Pelagornis sandersi, a giant flying seabird that lived some 25 million years ago and belonged to a family of now-extinct “toothed” birds. (Nat Geo Kids) Read about other “flying monsters” here. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas The … Continue reading Meet the Real ‘Big Bird’

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Remembering Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon

By Maggie Turqman Manager of Research, National Geographic Library Have you heard of Martha Washington?  Not the first lady, married to George. This Martha lived in the Cincinnati Zoo, and died 100 years ago, on September 1, 1914. Martha was a passenger pigeon. In fact, she was the very last one—when she died at age 29, her species officially went extinct.  What’s in a name? … Continue reading Remembering Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon

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