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BACKGROUND
These are the three birds in this game:
Red-winged Blackbird
This bird is a highly polygynous species, which mates with 2-3 females
in drier areas and 3-6 females in marsh areas. Females will mate
with several partners during a season. This bird tends to nest in
freshwater marshes, it may also nest in hayfields, swamps, and wet
upland habitats. Its breeding range is from Canada to Central America.
Wintering grounds are in the south. Red-winged Blackbirds migrate
by day, foraging for grain along the way. Their summer diet is mostly
insects, not grains and seeds like in the winter. Males must secure
a territory to successfully breed. Males display their red epaulets
(shoulder feathers) and spread their tail when singing their songs.
Songs are used for courtship displays and territorial defenses.
Black-capped Chickadee
This bird is a rather tame backyard bird found throughout North
America. These birds can be found at backyard feeders or in wooded
areas eating seeds. The vocalization that this bird is most famous
for is the “chick-a-dee-dee” which is one of the most
difficult vocalizations in the animal world. Depending on slight
variations in the phrasing of the vocalization the meaning behind
the sound can range from a simple contact call to an alarm call.
This is a non-migratory species.
American Goldfinch
This “wild canary” is a backyard favorite. It can be
found throughout most of North America. The goldfinch loves thistle
and other seeds from various trees. These birds have one of the
latest breeding seasons from other backyard birds. Birds found in
the Eastern part of the United States will nest starting in April
but will not breed until July. Breeding may depend on the flowering
of the thistle plant. Goldfinches nesting abilities are incredible
since the small nest is woven tightly with plant fibers and will
retain water. This is not always good, since there is a chance that
babies can drown while in the nest. Both parents will raise the
young.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Use the resources below to familiarize yourself with many more bird
calls and songs. Take your students outside to try to identify local
birds by ear. Another way to do this is to go on a birdwatching
walk, and describe or name the birds you see. Then you can use these
links below to identify the birds you've seen by their calls and
songs.
RESOURCES
Listen
to the calls of some of the more common North American birds.
Calls
of birds that have been spotted at a national park in South Dakota.
A
great reference all about owls, with calls.
This
English site features recordings of 750 different species from 28
different countries.
From
the PBS series, Life of Birds, a great article on birdsong, with
a few audio files.
Cornell's
Ornithology lab is a great general resource on birds, with photos
and calls for identification. |
