Once upon a time, we got a call from bird scientists in a small village in Alaska. They were working with students from the local school to learn more about the amazing birds in their area. The students had a fantastic idea: they wanted to make videos to share what they learned with other schools in Alaska. Then they thought even bigger – why not share their knowledge with everyone? That’s when we stepped in to help.
To get there, we took a big plane, then a smaller plane, and finally a car. When the car got stuck in the snow, we switched to an ATV. After a long journey, we reached the village and met an inspiring group of students. Together, we talked, researched, and drew pictures to create the videos you’re about to enjoy!
Birds have a special power: they can fly! Their bodies are perfectly designed for flying. Birds have wings, which are like arms made for the sky. The shape of a bird’s wing is curved, helping it catch air and lift off the ground. By flapping their wings, birds create thrust, which keeps them moving forward. As long as air flows over their wings, they can soar through the sky.
Feathers are super important for flying. Each feather has a central vein with tiny hooks that lock together, making it strong and light, like a kite. Feathers are made of keratin, a material that’s both strong and lightweight. All the feathers work together to catch as much air as possible. Birds also have strong muscles attached to a special bone called the keel bone, which helps them flap their wings powerfully.
Flying takes a lot of energy, so birds need plenty of oxygen. They have a special breathing system with air sacs that store extra air. This system allows air to flow continuously through their bodies. Birds also have big hearts to pump blood to their muscles and large brains to help them think quickly while flying.
To fly, birds have made some sacrifices. They’ve lost unnecessary bones, like fingers, and have lighter beaks instead of teeth. Birds don’t have bladders, so they can’t hold their urine, which keeps them lighter. Despite these changes, flying helps birds find food and build nests in places that are hard for predators to reach. They can travel across the world, flying over oceans with ease.
Almost half of all bird species migrate, meaning they travel to different places as the seasons change. Some birds, like the waxwing, migrate only a few hundred miles. Others, like the Arctic Tern, travel from the top of the world to the bottom and back each year. The bar-tailed godwit spends summers in Alaska and flies to warmer places when food becomes scarce.
Migrating is tiring, so birds eat a lot to store energy as fat. Some birds fly at night to avoid predators, while others travel in groups for safety and to save energy. Birds are excellent navigators, using the sun, stars, and landmarks to find their way. Some can even sense the Earth’s magnetic field, though scientists are still figuring out how they do it.
Birds face many challenges during migration, like storms, habitat loss, and dangers from humans, such as light pollution and tall buildings. As the climate changes, birds are adjusting their migration patterns, starting earlier or changing their body shapes to fly more efficiently.
People have always been curious about bird migration. Long ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle thought some birds turned into other birds, while others believed birds hibernated in lakes. It wasn’t until the 19th century that we started to understand their long journeys, like when a stork arrived in Europe with a hunter’s spear in its neck.
In the early 1900s, scientists began putting bands on birds to track their movements. By the 1940s, radar technology allowed us to see migratory flocks at night. In the 1980s, satellite tracking revealed incredible migrations, like the bar-tailed godwit’s trip from Alaska to New Zealand.
Today, scientists use lightweight devices to track small birds, recording light levels to estimate their locations. This has shown us amazing migration speeds, like the great snipe’s fast journey from Sweden to Central Africa.
Regular people also help scientists by sharing their bird observations, which helps us understand changes in migration patterns and where birds breed. This teamwork is essential for learning more about migratory birds.
We had a fantastic time working with the students at Tebughna School and are excited to share their work with you. The bird researchers we mentioned are part of Nate Senner’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With support from the National Science Foundation, they study Hudsonian Godwits in Alaska, looking at their nests, food, and the challenges they face from climate change and habitat loss. To learn more, visit SennerLab.com.
Imagine you are a bird preparing for migration. Choose a bird species and research its migration path. Draw a map showing the journey your bird takes, including starting and ending points, and any stopovers along the way. Share your map with the class and explain why your bird migrates and the challenges it might face.
Using materials like paper, cardboard, and feathers, create a model of a bird’s wing. Pay attention to the wing’s shape and how feathers are arranged. Test your model by simulating flight and observe how the wing catches air. Discuss with your classmates how the wing’s design helps birds fly.
In groups, choose a bird species and research its adaptations for flight. Create a short skit where you act out how these adaptations help the bird survive and thrive. Perform your skit for the class and explain the importance of each adaptation.
Learn about the unique breathing system of birds by conducting a simple experiment. Use balloons to represent air sacs and straws for air passages. Demonstrate how air flows through a bird’s body continuously. Discuss why this system is efficient for flying.
Spend some time outside observing local birds. Keep a journal to record the types of birds you see, their behaviors, and any signs of migration. Share your observations with the class and discuss how these birds might be preparing for migration or adapting to their environment.
Recently, we received a phone call from bird scientists in rural Alaska. They had begun collaborating with students from the local village school to share knowledge about the area and its remarkable birds. The students had a big idea: they wanted to create a series of videos to share this knowledge with other village schools in Alaska. Then they had an even bigger idea – what if they could share what they learned about birds and migration with everyone? That’s when we were called in.
We took a big plane, then a smaller plane, followed by a car. When the car got stuck in the snow, we switched to an ATV. Finally, we reached the village and the school, where we met an inspiring group of students. After spending time talking, researching, and drawing, we created the videos you’re about to watch. Enjoy!
This bird has a unique ability: it can fly. Birds can fly because every part of their body is adapted for an airborne life. Wings are modified arms designed for flying. The shape of a bird’s wing is curved, which helps catch air and create lift. To keep the wing moving, the bird flaps it, generating thrust. As long as enough air flows over the wing, it will soar.
Feathers are essential for flight. Each feather has a central vein with tiny barbs that interlock, making the feather act like a kite. Feathers are made of keratin, which is strong and lightweight. All the feathers work together to maximize surface area for catching air. Birds also need strong muscles for flapping their wings, which are anchored to a strong bone called the keel bone, making it easier to maintain flight.
Flying requires a lot of energy, so birds need to take in a lot of oxygen. They have efficient respiratory systems, including air sacs that hold extra air. Birds have a one-way respiratory system, allowing air to flow continuously through their bodies. They also have large hearts to pump blood to their muscles and big brains for quick thinking while flying.
To achieve flight, birds have made sacrifices. They have lost many unneeded bones, such as fingers, and have lighter beaks instead of teeth. Birds don’t have bladders, meaning they can’t hold their urine, as it would add unnecessary weight. Despite these adaptations, flying allows birds to find food and build homes in places that are hard for predators to reach. They can travel across the globe, unhindered by oceans.
Almost half of bird species migrate, traveling to different locations with the changing seasons. Some, like the waxwing, migrate only a few hundred miles, while the Arctic Tern has the longest migration, flying from the northernmost to the southernmost parts of the world and back each year. The bar-tailed godwit spends summers in Alaska, foraging for food, and migrates to warmer climates when food becomes scarce.
Migrating can be exhausting, and many birds pack on fat for energy during their journeys. Some migrate at night to avoid predators, while others fly in flocks for safety and to reduce wind resistance. Birds are skilled navigators, using the sun, stars, and landmarks to find their way. Some can even sense the Earth’s magnetic field, although the exact mechanism is still a mystery.
However, birds face many challenges during migration, including storms, habitat destruction, and human-related dangers like light pollution and tall buildings. As the climate changes, birds are adapting their migration strategies, starting their migrations earlier or altering their body shapes for more efficient flights.
Historically, humans have been curious about bird migration. The Greek philosopher Aristotle suggested that certain birds transformed into others, while some believed birds hibernated in lakes. It wasn’t until the 19th century that evidence began to emerge about birds’ long-distance travels, such as a stork arriving in Europe with a hunter’s spear in its neck.
In the early 1900s, researchers began banding birds to track their movements. Radar technology in the 1940s allowed scientists to observe migratory flocks at night. Satellite tracking emerged in the 1980s, revealing remarkable migrations, such as the bar-tailed godwit’s journey from Alaska to New Zealand.
Despite advancements, satellite tracking devices can be too heavy for small birds. Instead, scientists now use lightweight devices that record light levels to estimate a bird’s location over time. This method has revealed impressive migration speeds, such as the great snipe’s rapid journey from Sweden to Central Africa.
Regular people also contribute to migratory bird science by sharing observations, helping scientists understand changes in migration patterns and breeding ranges. This collaboration has come full circle, with everyday birdwatchers playing a vital role in migratory research.
We had a wonderful experience working with the students of Tebughna School and are excited to share their work with you. The bird researchers we mentioned earlier are part of Nate Senner’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With support from the National Science Foundation, they study Hudsonian Godwits in Alaska, monitoring their nests, food sources, and the challenges they face due to climate change and habitat loss. To learn more, visit SennerLab.com.
Birds – Warm-blooded animals with feathers and wings, most of which can fly. – Many birds build nests in trees to lay their eggs.
Migration – The seasonal movement of animals from one region to another. – The migration of geese to warmer areas happens every fall.
Feathers – The soft, light covering of a bird that helps it to fly and stay warm. – The peacock’s feathers are very colorful and beautiful.
Energy – The ability to do work or cause change, which animals get from food. – Animals need energy to move, grow, and stay warm.
Oxygen – A gas in the air that animals need to breathe to survive. – Fish get oxygen from the water through their gills.
Adaptations – Changes in an organism that help it survive in its environment. – The thick fur of polar bears is an adaptation to cold climates.
Habitats – The natural environments where plants and animals live. – Forests, deserts, and oceans are different types of habitats.
Predators – Animals that hunt and eat other animals for food. – Lions are predators that hunt in groups called prides.
Climate – The usual weather conditions in a place over a long period. – The climate in tropical rainforests is hot and humid.
Alaska – A U.S. state known for its cold climate and diverse wildlife. – Alaska is home to many animals, including bears and moose.
