Flocking Together

As annual spring migration begins, birds are on the move! While all birds aren’t migratory, with buds starting to bloom, I am hearing bird songs of all kinds right now. 

Amplifying the urge to get out and bird is my recent reading of Jennifer Ann Richter’s gentle and warm middle grade novel of friendship and inspiration: Bird Nerd (opens in a new window). Jennifer is a poet and writer — and a birder who is eager to show kids that birding is something everyone can enjoy, no matter their zip code, race, or income level.

Like the Bird Buddies toolkit (opens in a new window) at Start with a Book, Jennifer has some fabulous ideas for engaging kids in observing and learning about birds. We’re so delighted that she’s here to share them and get us geared up for exciting adventures in reading and birding! 

Be a Bird Detective! by Jennifer Ann Richter 

Ballet, stargazing, and amateur sleuthing were just a few of my childhood hobbies. You would think birdwatching would have made the list. I certainly looked up into the sky often enough. A shame that it didn’t, because as a mystery lover whose literary hero was Encyclopedia Brown, I would have had a blast stitching together clues to identify all the birds in my neighborhood. 

And there were lots of feathered visitors to my Philadelphia street, thanks to the trees that shaded the brick, asphalt, and concrete. Those huge oaks and maples may have buckled our sidewalks, but they welcomed the birds. Still, for some reason I never paid much attention to who was fluttering amidst the branches. Now I often wonder what adventures I would have had as a young birder.

[Below right: A very old photo of my childhood home, the inspiration for Nyla’s house in Bird Nerd.]

Since those days are long gone (and time machines haven’t been invented yet), I did the next best thing to revisit my youth: I used the power of story. In my novel Bird Nerd, city girl Nyla Braun gets to have the birding experience I missed out on. Along the way, she navigates the ins and outs of friendship, comes to terms with her nerdiness, and finds a way to inspire her classmates.

It all kicks off when her fifth-grade class goes up against suburban kids in a spring birding tournament. They have to monitor bird feeders, go on “birding” walks, learn bird facts, and identify different species by sight and sound. I included a variety of activities in the story to show how everyone — regardless of location, interests, and abilities — can enjoy birding.

As for me, my biggest thrill is encountering a new-to-me bird. I love putting together clues to discover its identity. Apps like Merlin are great for that if you get a good photo or sound recording, but when I first got into birding about twenty-five years ago, I had to use my own observation and sleuthing skills. 

Solving bird mysteries not only adds a sense of fun and ownership to learning, but it offers the added benefit of exchanging cyber noise for the sights and sounds of nature. It can be a refuge of calm for an anxious child while also instilling a respect for the natural environment. It can also make lasting memories.

Gathering clues

To get started, here are some clues for kids to gather when sleuthing out a bird that’s new to them:

1. Where are you?

Are you deep in the woods, strolling down a city street, or perhaps relaxing at the beach? Bird species vary by region and also habitat, so first take note of exactly where you are.

[At left: In a wetland habitat, you may encounter species such as great blue herons, belted kingfishers, red-winged blackbirds, and ospreys.]

2. How big is the bird?

 Think of a common bird you know and compare the new bird to that one. For instance, is it bigger or smaller than a robin?

3. What shape is the bird?

Is it plump and round, long and sleek, or something in between? Take a common bird that you know and compare it to your new species. Just be aware that in chilly weather, even sleek birds may look round as they fluff up their feathers to keep warm!

4. What color is the bird?

Is it all one color or more of a patchwork? Note any markings, like stripes across the bird’s folded wings or over its eyes. Are its legs pink, orange, or black?

5. What does the bird’s beak look like?

Is it thin and needle-like or thick and triangle-shaped? Maybe the beak is large and reminds you of a spear or chisel. What color is the beak?

6. What does the bird sound like? 

Is it making a high-pitched whistle? A loud cry? Maybe it sounds like a giggle. You can spend a lifetime learning all the different vocalizations of the birding world. With enough practice, perhaps you can be an expert like Samuel Henderson (opens in a new window)! At ten years old, he wowed his elementary school classmates by mimicking a variety of birds at a talent show. His performance even elevated him to TikTok stardom!

After you’ve gathered all your clues, the investigation begins. There are many ways to look up birds. Field guides specific to your region are great resources to have on hand. Bird ID websites from organizations such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (opens in a new window) and the National Audubon Society (opens in a new window) are also fantastic for bird research. 

Who’s the mystery bird?

For fun, ask kids to try following the clues gathered in this completed Bird Detective observation sheet to discover the identity of the mystery bird. (Hint: Nyla from Bird Nerd would have definitely come across these in her neighborhood.)

Download a blank observation sheet (opens in a new window) for kids to complete on their next birding adventure! 

Resources

• Jennifer Richter website (opens in a new window)
• Follow Jennifer Richter on Instagram (opens in a new window) and Facebook (opens in a new window)
• Start with a Book: Bird Buddies (opens in a new window)
• Merlin: Bird ID App (opens in a new window)
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Bird Guide (opens in a new window)
• Audubon: Guide to North American Birds (opens in a new window)
• Audubon: Meet the Kid Who Wowed the Internet With His Incredibly Accurate Bird Calls (opens in a new window)