There are a variety of birds that call Illinois home. Some of them are only seasonal visitors, while others are found all year. Let’s take a closer look at some of the birds you’re likely to find in your backyard and around the Nature Museum. Eager to identify more birds? Download the Merlin app to help you recognize even more species! Then use this downloadable bird field guide to record your observations.
We’ll see you next week for more fun!
What do you know about pigeons?
Pigeons are a part of our everyday life, but there’s nothing ordinary about them! For instance, did you know that pigeons and doves are actually related? They also vary a lot in their coloration. Although gray and black birds are a very common sight, there are also reddish-brown and even white variations. Click here for more information.
Guiding Question: When you think about pigeons, what colors do you think of? Are there any birds that pigeons remind you of? How are they alike? How are they different?
Rockin’ robins!
When robins start appearing, you know that spring has arrived! In the fall and winter, they mostly eat berries. When the weather warms up, and the ground thaws, they eat earthworms and assorted insects. Learn more about robins here.
Guiding Question: Can you spot a robin when you see one? What’s unique about their coloring? Why do you think their diets change with the seasons?
Make your own birdfeeder!
Want to help the birds passing through your backyard? Check out these tutorials for making birdfeeders out of recycled materials, including a milk jug and a juice carton!
Guiding Question: What kind of foods can we put in our bird feeder? What other kinds of foods do birds eat? Where do they find those foods?
Birdy Story Time!
Explore some more amazing birds with your little ones with the help of these children’s books. The Internet Archive has launched an online library allowing users to digitally check out books for two weeks for free. Check out these titles to get started!
Behind the scenes!
They aren’t native to Illinois, but our button quail are a big part of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven! Want to learn more about what they eat? Head over to our Twitter.
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