Bird Beaks
Bird Beaks
Structure relates to function, this section matches bird beaks to bird diets.
Learning Objective: Match bird beaks to the types of foods birds eat.
Science teaching and learning depends on preserved specimens, replicas, models, and illustrations. We are using a combination of these to introduce the relationship between bird beaks and the food they eat.
Birds need an enormous amount of energy to sustain flight. This video introduces differences in beaks between meat-eating birds and birds that eat high-energy seeds and nectar.
The figurine models are high enough quality to demonstrate relative beak shape and size.
These preserved specimens show three dramatically different beak types.
Note: these specimens are 20+ years old, so in this case Lesley isn’t wearing gloves, although cloth “curatorial” gloves would be appropriate to minimize specimen damage.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
In this video beak types are demonstrated using replicas. Replicas are often cast from real specimens, using materials that are less likely to fall apart. They also make it possible to work with structures like toucan and osprey beaks that you would not be able to collect.
Paper models are inexpensive and easy to replicate in a home or classroom. There is a long history of paper craft in education. This video introduces new beaks with two-dimensional models.
This Diatryma model demonstrates that just because a beak is large, it doesn’t mean the bird is (or was) a predator.
Beaks are also used for other tasks including nest building and caching behaviors, so shape and size may relate to other uses.
We’ll take a closer look at bird feathers and nests in upcoming guides.
Check your knowledge – Bird Beaks
Review your notes. Can you match bird beaks to bird diets? If so, move forward to the next page.
Learning Objective:
Structure relates to function, this section matches bird beaks to bird diets.
.
Go back to the Bird Ancestry Page
Go forward to the Products Page
Field Sketching Contents
Complete all five of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your media piece.
This Module
4: What is it?
This Guide
4C: Field Sketching
Products Information
4C: Quiz & Media
