Bird Beaks Exploration

This week, we took a closer look at the functions of beaks. Birds have a wide variety of beaks - long, short, big, small, sharp, smooth. We know they help birds get the food they need to eat, but how?
At our House Tables we set up stations with a simulated bird food source and some tools to function as different types of beaks. Small groups of students rotated through each station testing each tool option and discussed what they had discovered. Which beak is best for what foods? That's what we were going to find out!


At this station, rice submerged in water simulated insects embedded in the mud of shallow waters. Kids tried using tongs, forceps and a strainer to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Strainer
The strainer works like the bill of a spoonbill, sifting through mud and water to find tasty morsels.

At this station, red colored water simulated nectar in flowers. Kids tried using a straw, a strainer and a cob holder to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Straw
The straw works like the bill of a hummingbird, sucking up the sweet liquid.

At this station, sunflower seeds nestled in tiny crevices simulated insects living in rotting wood. Kids tried using a slotted spoon, forceps and pliers to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Forceps
The forceps works like the bill of a woodpecker, poking in small holes and pulling out insets to eat.

At this station, thumb tacks pushed into wood simulated fruits hanging from a branch. Kids tried using a spoon, a straw and pliers to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Pliers
The pliers works like the bill of a toucan gripping the fruits/berries and pulling them off the plant.

At this station, Cheerios floating in water simulated fish and small creatures swimming at the waters' surface. Kids tried using tongs, pliers and a fish net to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Fish net
The fish net works like the bill of a pelican, straining the water and holding onto the food bits.

At this station, popcorn tossed in the air simulated flying insects. Kids tried using a spoon, a strainer and a shopping bag to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Shopping Bag
The shopping bag works like the bill of a whippoorwill, opening wide to collect flying insects right out of the air.

At this station, rice scattered on logs simulated insects creeping among rotting wood. Kids tried using pliers, a cob holder and a nutcracker to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Needlenose Pliers
The pliers works like the bill of warblers, picking among the cracks and crevices to capture insects to eat.

At this station,  grapes hidden under a layer of oatmeal simulated worms buried in the mud. Kids tried using a toothpick, a straw and a nutcracker to see which would be most successful in getting the food.
Winner - Toothpick
The toothpick works like the bill of a snipe, stabbing through mud to get at the food underneath.