Home » Plants & Animals » Birdwatching » Birdwatching With Children: Bird Behavior Study

Birdwatching With Children: Bird Behavior Study

© Terrie Murray

The study of the behavior of birds is one of the most rewarding aspects of birdwatching, but it isn't one that is regularly practiced by the casual birdwatcher who concentrates only on identifying species and checking them off on their list.

To really study the behavior of birds you need to watch a single species for a long period of time, and preferably over a series of days. Studying the behavior of birds is an ideal science and nature project for children.

Most behavior is associated with nesting and raising a family. Birds of a particular species will all nest at about the same time, and each species has identifiable behaviors involving attracting and courting a mate, defending territory, building a nest and raising their young. Because their behaviors are associated with nesting they will be most active during the spring and summer, but you'll find that some birds will continue "practicing" all year round.

Let's look at a species of bird which you will probably be able to find anywhere in the country: Pigeons.

Pigeons (or rock doves, as they are more properly named) are great for studying bird behavior for several reasons. They are accustomed to having people around so they can be approached and studied up close, there are flocks of pigeons in most city parks, and in general they do not migrate, staying in roughly the same area year round. So take your child to a park where you know there are pigeons around, sit on a bench, and watch what goes on.

In the park you're in what would best be described as the pigeon's "feeding ground." The pigeons probably don't nest in the park, they prefer to nest high above the ground where there are dark cubbyholes, like churches or elaborate plasterwork on high buildings or the crossbeams of bridges. There are still several behaviors you should be able to identify, since much of the pigeon's "courtship" occurs on the feeding ground. For example, watch birds entering or leaving the feeding area. Are they clapping their wings together as they fly? This behavior is done by males, as a way for them to advertise their sexual maturity. Males may also lift their heads very high and run for short distances with their tales dragging the ground. They're showing off for their mates.

If you see a pigeon pick up a twig and fly off with it, watch where it flies. The bird is probably nesting. At the nest site, you'll observe a whole different set of behaviors between the mates as they prepare their nest.

The copyright of the article Birdwatching With Children: Bird Behavior Study in Birdwatching is owned by Terrie Murray. Permission to republish Birdwatching With Children: Bird Behavior Study in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.