As an alternative to the field trip, I am assigning the following observation-ba

As an alternative to the field trip, I am assigning the following observation-based assignment – Bird
watching. Note: This is not an online research assignment – in order to receive credit, you have to
observe live wild birds.
Look around your neighborhood (or anywhere you feel comfortable going) and spend some time
getting to know the local birds. Some will be common and hang out in the same area for long periods
of time, while others will tend to be more transient. After getting an idea of which species would allow
for extended observation, pick one that you will have the opportunity to observe for a longer period of
time (or repeatedly if you are interested in observing a species that frequents the same area, but doesn’t
stay very long) and start taking notes. Some questions to help organize your notes into categories
include: What does it look like? What is it doing? What is it eating? What does its song or call sound
like? Is it interacting with other birds of the same species (or different species)? Is there any indicating
that the bird is breeding (mating, nest building, etc.)?
For your assignment, please include the following in your write-up: A detailed descriiption of the
physical characteristics of the bird (approximate size, color pattern (don’t just say “brown”, but
describe details of the patterns on different parts of the body i.e., head, breast, belly, back, wings, etc.),
the shape of its beak, etc.); the location where you were the bird is located (your yard, on the beach, in
the trees by the park, etc.); describe its behavior (catching flying insects, visiting flowers, walking on
the ground, etc.); any other interesting observations. If you know the common name of the bird
species, please include that (or you can search online to try to ID it).
You may want to spend some time observing several different species initially to see which are most
likely to stay in your area long enough to make your observations. If you bird flies away, just wait
until it or another bird of the same species comes back and continue with your observations.
Your submission must be typed (12 point font, single spaced) and organized into separate paragraphs
as follows:
– Dates, times, and locations of your observation (s).
– Detailed descriiption of the physical characteristics of the bird(s). Include the common name if you
know it.
– A descriiption of how you think the physical characteristics are evolutionary adaptations to its
behavior, habitat, and lifestyle.
– A descriiption of its behavior and any interactions with other species. What was the bird doing during
your observation? What does it eat? Etc. Include any interesting observations or insights you made
during your observation.
– Include a picture (not taken from online – one you took) or drawing of the bird with your
submission.
There is no page or length requirement, but please be thorough in your descriiption and write-up.