Activities
What Do You Know About Habitats?
Here is another chance to go hands on with a range of activities to check what you know and give you opportunities to look further into the lives of birds. What have you llearnt about the ways in which species have evolved to survive successfully in their habitats?
1. Which is the heaviest flying bird in Africa ( scrub/grasslands)?
2.. What kind of bird is a francolin (scrub/grasslands)?
3 . What are the main threats to the survival of the Orange-breasted rock jumper (scrub/moorland)?
4. Why is the red-billed wood hoopoe a successful insectivore (forests)?
5. What is the difference between a terrestrial and an arboreal species (forests/scrub and grasslands)?
6. What is the difference between a dabbling duck and a diving duck (freshwater/wetlands)?
7. How do commom redshanks feed (coastal)?
8. Where do brent geese that winter in UK migrate to in spring (coastal)?
A Bit Harder
9. Explain how the following species have adapted to their natural habitats: 1. Kori Bustard 2. Greater Flameback 3. Northern Royal Albatross 4. Black Crake.
10. How are coastal bird species threatened by human intrusion on their habitats?
11. With reference to one species, explain how and why it changes habitat during the course of a year.
Over To You
12. Try to visit reserves in the four habitats and record your observations (see Section 2 of Bird Watch).
13. Which is your favourite habitat for bird watching? Describe your choice and why you enjoy visiting.
14. Join a conservation group and work with them on an environmental project.
Advanced
15. Explain, with examples, why categorising birds by habitat can be prolematic.
16. Prepare a presentation on habitat loss in your area and how it can be prevented.
17. Why are there fewer species of birds in the northern coniferous forests and the temperate forests than in the forests between the Equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn? Present as an essay.
Helpful Sites
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/identify-a-bird/
Try thewildfile site: Bird Watch