Bird biodiversity studies

OvERVIEW

Studying birds in your schoolyard is a great way to get students to observe and identify different species of birds, monitor seasonal and long-term population changes, and assess the health of the site. Birds are present in nearly every schoolyard environment and also easy to hear and spot. Just as testing nitrogen or oxygen levels in water bodies can indicate water quality, the number and types of birds on your schoolyard can tell you a lot about the health of the environment.

Students participating in a schoolyard bird study will learn to observe and identify birds on their site and determine the schoolyard’s bird biodiversity. Once students become comfortable with bird identification and the concept of biodiversity, you can begin to develop a plan to improve your schoolyard to attract more birds and more species to your site. Habitat improvements projects include bird feeders, bird houses, and gardens to attract new species.

TimeFRame

Depending on the time of day and season you choose to observe birds, you will view different types of behavior and see different species. The winter months are a great time to begin observations, since fewer species are present in the winter and bare deciduous trees make it easier to spot birds. Students will also enjoy observing new species that visit feeders during the spring and fall migrations and during the summer while nesting.

Land use

As birds are present in nearly every environment, there are no specific landscape requirements or features necessary to study bird biodiversity in your schoolyard. You should, however, set up a repeatable path or transect to take bird counts from, to ensure a consistent, valid study. This path should have a clear beginning and end point, be accessible and safe for all, and be of an appropriate length to walk in a typical class period.

Necessary Materials

For a bird biodiversity study you will need sets of binoculars and bird identification guides. You might also find it useful to have maps of your schoolyard and a camera for documenting observations.

Educational Themes

Ornithology, environmental health, biodiversity, habitat restoration/improvement

Additional resources

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Educator’s Guide to Bird Study

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Urban Bird Studies

Flying Wild
Flying Wild is a new program of the Council for Environmental Education, which introduces students to bird conservation through standards-based classroom activities and environmental stewardship projects. 

The Great Backyard Bird Count: Schoolyard Feeding Stations

Arizona State University: What birds are flying around your schoolyard? (PDF)