bird identification

1. Bird Identification &
Birds of Pennsylvania
The Big Questions
What are some primary ways to identify birds?
What are some of the most common birds
found in Pennsylvania?

2. Primary Ways to Identify Birds
Body type
Size and wingspan
Bill shape
Legs and feet
Tail shape and
body markings
Habitat Image © Charles L. Ripper/CLO
Image © Charles L. Ripper/CLO
Nesting type
Food

3. Body Shape and Size
•bulky
•chunky
•slender
•plump
The size of a
bird’s body is
measured from
tail to beak

4. Bill Shape
•spear-like
•slender
•hooked
•stout, heavy

5. Legs and Feet
•long legs
•curved claws
•webbed feet

6. Special Markings
•crown stripes
•crest
•crown patch

7. Tail Shape and Markings
•rounded
•forked
•long
•square

8. Other Identifying Features
Visit links for detailed information
•Habitat
•http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1057
•Songs & Calls
•http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1059
•Behavior
•http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1056

9. Blue Jay
•Forest habitat
•Omnivore; ground forager
•Nests in tree
•Slender body
•Length: 9.8-11.8 in.
•Wingspan: 13.4-16.9 in.
•Stout, heavy bill
•Perky crest
•Rounded tail

10. Canada Goose
•Marsh habitat
•Eats plants; ground forager
•Nests on ground
•Plump body
•Length: 29.9-43.3 in.
•Wingspan: 50-66.9 in.
•Wide, flat bill
•Large webbed feet
•Black head, white chinstrap
•Rounded tail

11. Great Horned Owl
•Open woodland habitat
•Carnivore; aerial dive
•Nests in tree
•Bulky body
•Length: 18.1-24.8 in.
•Wingspan: 39.8-57.1 in.
•Hooked bill
•Curved, tearing claw
•Ear tufts on head
•Rounded tail

12. Red-Tailed Hawk
•Grassland habitat
•Carnivore; soaring
•Nests in tree
•Bulky body
•Length: 17.7-22 in.
•Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 in.
•Hooked bill
•Curved, tearing claw
•Rounded tail

13. Red-Bellied Woodpecker
•Forest habitat
•Eats insects; bark forager
•Nests in tree cavity
•Slender body
•Length: 9.4 in.
•Wingspan: 13-16.5 in.
•Slender bill for eating bugs
•Solid red cap
•Rounded tail

14. Assignment
 Visit Birds Found in Pennsylvania and choose one breed to study.
 You must find the following information about your breed;
 Body type
 Size and wingspan
 Bill shape
 Legs and feet
 Tail shape and body markings
 Habitat
 Nesting type
 Food
 Create a PowerPoint presentation that includes one slide for each category.
 You may use print resources found at school to complete your research, as
well as any of the following sites:
 All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
 The Complete List of North American Birds
 North American Birds!
 List of birds of Canada and the United States; Wikipedia

15. References
Your online guide to birds and bird watching, all about birds, cornell lab of
ornithology. (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=11
89
Discovery Education. (2010).
Bird identification [Image]. Available from
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Mitch Waite Group, (2005). Birds found in pennsylvania. Retrieved from
http://www.whatbird.com/browse/objs/All/birds_na_147/38/L
ocation/6514/Pennsylvania