Bird Beak Adaptation Lab

Purpose: Determine which type of bird beak is best adapted for different feeding methods.

 

 

Materials: data table, feeding stations, tool to represent bird beaks

 

Feeding Stations:

#1-Nectar (1000 ml graduated cylinder with water)

#2-Worms in the mud (4 inch pieces of string in a bucket of sand)

#3-Aquatic Animals (straws in a large bowl of water)

#4-Flying Insects (Popcorn thrown in air)

#5- Insects on a Log (Pieces of rice on log)

#6- Seeds (sunflower seeds)

 

Tools:

Hummingbird (straw)

Snipe (chopsticks)

Pelican (slotted spoon)

Whip-poor-will (ice cream scoop)

Warbler (tweezers)

Grosbeak (pliers)

 

 

Procedure:

1.  Create a table to record your data for the 6 different bird beaks and the 6 different feeding stations. 

 

2.  Divide into groups of 5-6.  You will be assigned one of the 6 different birds.  Each member of your group should have a different bird.

 

3.  Obtain the proper “tool” to represent your bird’s beak. 

 

4.  Report to your assigned feeding station.

 

5.  Divide your group into 2 groups.  The first group will have one minute to obtain as much food as possible using their beak.  The second group will keep track of the time and observe the feeding successes and failures of the first group.  Record the amount of food obtained by each bird in your data table for that station.

 

6.  Reset the feeding station.

 

7.  Repeat step 5, allowing the other group 2 to feed. 

 

8.  Repeat steps 5-7 for each feeding station.

 

 

Data:

Construct an appropriate data table and attach to lab sheet

 

 

Analysis and Conclusion:

1.  Which bird was most successful at obtaining food at each of the feeding stations? 

 

2.  Explain how each bird’s beak has allowed the bird to adapt to its particular feeding method.

 

3.  Suppose that only birds with the most successful beak at each station are able to survive in that environment.  Select one environment and explain what happens to the bird population in that area over time.