Bird Banding Station - Bird Unit

Have you ever been to a bird banding station? Where was it?

A bird banding station is a place where scientists trap birds and place a small metal ring around one leg to track migration and study birds. The data is used to learn more about birds, and help to protect them and their habitats.

When we were living in Denver, CO we stumbled across the local bird banding station through the Audubon Society and it was fabulous. Banding is done twice per year (May and September) when the birds are migrating. It happens in the morning from about 7:00-11:00 when the birds are most active. After the birds are trapped they are weighed, measured, banded and then set free. Banding sessions are open to the public for observation. After the Denver scientist Marideth, weighed and measured the birds she took a few minutes to educate the public about the bird she caught. She talked about what it ate, what kind of bird it was, interesting features to help identify it and how it lived. Then she let someone hold the bird just before it flew away. My children and I learned so much.

The experience of being so close to the birds inspired a unit study on birds. Here are the excellent living bird books we found to read in conjunction with our study.



Burgess Bird Book for Children is free on-line. We found all the other books at the library.

After reading and observing at the bird banding station my daughter created a beautiful lapbook.

What are your favorite living books about birds?

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