Bird Migration

While exploring outside you may see a variety of different birds. You may notice that in the winter, there are some types of birds still around but others have flown south. You may wonder why some of those birds are gone and their nests are empty. This phenomenon will look for the patterns as to why this happens.

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• Why do only some birds fly south in the winter?
• What do birds need to survive when temperatures get cold?

Classroom Suggestions

• Students could: 
  • Participate in a game where they pretend to travel to different locations indicated by hula hoops in a classroom or on a playground to get food, water and rest just as birds do when they migrate. (Information on this activity can also be found also in pbskids link.) 
  • View this Eagle Cam and observe what is in a bird nest or what is needed for a nest to provide for birds.
  • Work through the migration challenge from PBS Kids. It includes many different activities for students to do.

Related Resources

• The Basics of Bird Migration | All about Birds: Gives information to why birds fly south in the winter.
• Bird Migration Game | National Audubon Society: This website features an interactive game where students can pick a bird to learn about where it can be found and where it migrates to. 
• Bird Migration Video | PBS LearningMedia: This is a Science Trek video that talks about bird migration. 
• Migrations | SciShow Kids: This video talks about different animals that migrate and why they do.