BIRDS NESTING HABITS

NESTING HABITS LESSON

Directions:

Print the Nesting Habits reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions.  Teachers may use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Exercise: Take the children outside for a bird watching walk. If they have binoculars, have them bring them to class. Have them identify as many birds as they can and tell where they would build their nest. Have them explain the materials used by the birds they find. Then, ask them to watch the birds to see them carrying things in their mouth to build the nest or to feed their babies. Ask if anyone can tell if a parent is sitting on the eggs.

Lesson Excerpt

Birds make their home in something called a nest. This is where a bird lives and takes care of their babies. If they lay eggs (birds that reproduce do) this is where they keep them in most cases. If a bird is going to have a baby it is important to keep them in a place where they are safe. This is why many expecting momma birds keep their babies in their nest. When the baby is in the egg the momma bird will sometimes sit on the eggs. This keeps them warm until they are ready to be born. The babies will break from the shell by pecking at the inside until they are able to get out when they are ready to be born.

Think of a nest like you would your house. Your house keeps you safe and warm. If it is raining you will be dry in your house and you will be safe from most dangers. Nests are the same for birds as a house is for humans. Nests are slightly different though because they are able to be placed just about anywhere. A house has to be placed on a street but a nest can be located in a tree, in a wall, on a rooftop, on the ground, on a rock, or even on a mountain.

Birds use things that are all around them in nature to make their homes. A bird might use grass, twigs, and sticks for their nest. They can also use rags, leaves, wool, and cotton to construct their home. Birds want to make sure their nest is not only strong enough to stay together under any type of weather but that it is soft and warm on the inside where they will be staying.

Types of Nests

Being that there are 8,500 different types of birds you can be sure that there are many different types of nests to suit the needs and safety for all the various types of birds in existence. (continued...)