Birds
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The following activity is contained in the BIRD KIT, available to leaders at no charge for use in Fish Creek Provincial Park. 

Identifying birds can be a very difficult and frustrating task. Usually, by the time the identification book has been found and opened, the bird has flown away. A more rewarding way to identify birds is to concentrate on observing and recording of characteristics. The information can be used later to find the bird's identity by using a field guide book. 

Distribute copies of the Bird Clue Chart and ensure that everyone has a pencil. Explain each of the boxes on the chart. Encourage the children to be as specific as possible, using either words or pictures. 

Size: how big is the bird compared to commonly known birds such sparrow, robin or crow 
Body: is the shape slender, chunky or bulky: are there are stripes or spots of colour 
Head: any crests, stripes near the eyes, what shape 
Bill: often easiest to draw the shape of the bill, note the colour of it 
Tail: how long compared to the bird's body, shape, colour and markings 
Other Observations: specifically where was it, what was it doing, if feeding, what was it eating, what time of day, what time of year, any sound it makes

The most common year round resident bird species of Fish Creek Provincial Park are: