Activity
Birds of Prey Research
Time: One 50-minute class period
Source: Science NetLinks
Students will research birds of prey and their adaptations. This is an important pre-visit activity because it familiarizes the students with the birds they will be studying on their field experience.
Tip: Have your students research the specific birds they will see at the Austin Nature and Science Center. These are:
- Red-tailed hawk
- Harris hawk
- Swainson’s hawk
- Barn owls
- Barred owls
- Great horned owls
- Screech owls
There are also turkey vultures and black vultures (although these are no longer considered birds of prey – ask your students why!)
As part of your visit to ANSC, students will be doing some further research on these birds of prey. Students can choose another bird to research on-site or go into more depth on their previous research topic.
Option: Have your students research the question, “What is a bird of prey?” Ask them to list characteristics, and then discuss them as a class.
TEKS: 8.2, 8.6, 8.11
TAKS
Objectives: 1, 2
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