Bluejay                                             Cardinal

       How many birds did you hear singing this morning?  Was it 3, 4, 7.  I bet it was a lot.

       When the windows are open we can hear all the beautiful sounds of nature.  Just think of all those birds singing in the sunshine.

         Those birds you are hearing are Songbirds.  Songbirds are special birds that are capable of singing.  Songbirds have voice boxes that allow them to sing.  We have voice boxes too and that is how we talk. 

       Voice boxes are what make Songbirds different from other types of birds.  Singing is a pretty hard job and not all birds can do it.  But…..

       Why do Songbirds make those beautiful sounds we hear?  What are they trying to say?  Let's see if we can figure this out.

       Most Songbirds have their own song.  Baby Songbirds learn their song by listening to their fathers sing.  Boy Songbirds sing more often than girl birds.

       Did you know baby Songbirds begin to sing at 10 days old? 

       Songbirds sing to mark their territory, warn of danger, and express hunger or to attract a girlfriend or boyfriend. 

Links to other sites.

Lets listen to bird songs at these sites: Zooish sounds,

and More bird sounds.

Bird song memory

        Can you try to sing like one of the Songbirds you just heard?  Go ahead, you can do it, just whistle a tune.

Physical Features

       Songbirds are also called Perching birds because of unique structure of feet:

•     They have four toes coming from their ankle at the end of each leg

•      Because their feet are not webbed (Ducks have webbed feet) they have strong grasp ability.                             

•      Their back toe is usually longer and is opposable just like our thumb...that means their back toe can touch their other toes!

•     This grasping ability of the back toe in the opposite position of the others is what allows a bird to perch or sit on the branch

Where they Live

       Each species (or type) of Songbird has different habitat or living requirements.  Some live in grasslands, scrublands, pine forests, or hardwood forests.

        The Northern Cardinal can live in any of these places except Grasslands.  The Downey Woodpecker lives in the pine forest or hardwood forest.

Nesting

       Songbirds are among the best nest builders.  They build complex structures as compared with some birds that don't build any nests.

      Different species (or types) of Songbirds build different types of homes (or cover). 

       Most nests in shrub type vegetation and build nests less than 15 feet above the ground.  The average nest is only 8 feet off the ground.  That’s the height of your bedroom ceiling.

       That means we can see a nest just by looking up when we are outside.  Some Songbirds nest in tree holes, cliffs, abandoned woodpecker holes, and even on the ground. 

Visit the Nest of a Swallow

Food                     

       Songbirds eat fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals.  Songbirds are important for our forests.  They eat insects that destroy the trees.  This means the trees in or forests can grow better and stronger.

       Songbirds look for open water.  Even a puddle will do.  Songbirds don't like deep water. 

       Hey, did you know that you can help the Songbirds by having a birdbath in your yard?  It's easy.  Songbirds look for water that is typically no more than 2-3 inches deep.  Small birds can drown in water 3 inches or deeper.  That’s the height of your little finger. 

       Birdbaths should be a dull earthy color and placed in an open area.  The water should be kept clean.  Having fresh water available for birds will help keep them healthy.

       Winter can be hard for some birds, food is hard to get and it can be very cold.  Some Songbirds migrate (or fly) to places where it is warmer.  They go to places like Central and South America.  Kind of like a vacation for birds! 

       Except Songbirds don't take a plane, train or even a bus.  They fly themselves all the way there!  

 Warblers are one type of Songbird that heads for warmer climates when winter comes. 

       Other Songbirds choose to stay right where they live all year round.  These are Songbirds like the Cardinal, Finch, Woodpecker and Chickadees.

Hey we earned a break.  We’ve learned all about Songbirds, now lets try one of these puzzles.  Cardinals and Bluejays are 2 types of Songbirds.

Use your imagination and check this link by coloring in your Songbird to match the picture of a real Songbird!

You may choose up to two activities: