1. BirdsMichelle LiSantiThematic Unit

2. What We Know All birds have wings, feathers and a beak. Most birds but not all can fly. Flying helps birds hunt and escape from predators. Feathers keep birds warm, help them fly and give thebirds lots of color. Birds do not have teeth. Most birds eat insects and seeds. Birds lay eggs in a nest. Many birds migrate to a cool place for the summer anda warm place for the winter. 3. Lets Investigate Further 4. 3 Types of Birds 5. American Robin The American Robin is a common, widespread songbird that lives across much of North America down to Guatemala. This bird is a typeof thrush; it is more closely related to blackbirds than to English robins. It was mistakenly called a robin by early American settlers. Anatomy: The American Robin is a grey bird with a bright orangechest. Males and females are very similar in coloring; the maleshead is darker and has brighter feathers. Young robins are palerthan adults and have dark spots on the chest. Diet: Robins eat small insects, spiders, and worms. Nest and Eggs: Robins nests are cups made from grass and mud.Nests are built in trees and shrubs. Females lay 3-7 light blue eggsin each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time). The female incubatesthe eggs for 12-14 days. 6. CardinalThe Northern Cardinal is an easily-spotted red songbird from the eastern USAand much of Mexico. It has also been introduced to Hawaii. The cardinal was named by early American settlers, for Catholic cardinals who dress in brightred robes. These birds are strongly territorial and have a loud, whistling song. Cardinals live in open woodlands and do not migrate. Cardinals have a loud, whistle-like call. Anatomy: The Northern Cardinal has a short, wide, red, cone-shaped billand a pointed crest of feathers on its head. Males have bright red feathers,a tall head crest, a wide, red bill, and a black face. Females and childrenare gray above and paler below, with some dark red on the crest, wings,and tail. They also have a bright orange bill. Diet: Cardinals eat seeds, insects, snails, and maple sap. Nest and Eggs: The Cardinals nests are bowl-like and made from grass andtwigs. Nests are built in bushes. Eggs are whitish with brown and graymarking; females lay 2-5 eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at onetime). 7. The American goldfinch is a small, brightly-colored North American bird thatis sometimes called the wild canary. This little bird lives in brushy thickets,seed-bearing trees, and weedy grasslands. It ranges from Mexico tosoutheastern British Columbia to Newfoundland. In winter, goldfinches gatherin large flocks, as they fly to warm areas, including the Gulf of Mexico andsouthern Mexico. The song is high pitched and long. Anatomy: The goldfinch is from 4 1/2 to 5 inches long. Males are brightyellow with a black forehead, a white backend and the wings and tail areblack with white edges. Male coloration in the winter is duller. Females arecamouflaged with duller colors; they are gray with black wings, white wingbars, and a notched tail. The bill is stubby. Diet: Goldfinches mostly eat seeds (insects are also eaten). Nest and Eggs: The goldfinch nests in a small tree or shrub. Nests are opencups made from grass, bark strips, and other plant material. Females lay4-5 pale blue eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time). Theincubation period is 10 to 12 days. 8. GLOSSARY Thrush-a small or medium sized songbird that isusually brown and spotted and sings a loud song Incubate- when a bird sits on its eggs to keepthem warm so they can hatch Crest- a set of eggs laid at one time Clutch- a group of eggs laid and incubatedtogether Territorial- defending their area against intruders Bill- a beak