Activity 1:Bird Of The Year
Aotearoa New Zealand is home to many different kinds (species) of native birds. Sadly, about a third of our native bird species are at risk of disappearing forever (becoming extinct).
Each year, Forest and Bird New Zealand hold a ‘Bird of the Year’ competition where people can vote for their favourite native bird. This year, the winner was the kererū (or woodpigeon).
Go onto the Bird of the Year website, look through the native birds on the site, and choose one that interests you.
On your blog, write a short description of your bird. Where does your bird normally live? What does your bird normally eat? Post a picture of the bird underneath your description. Be sure to attribute your picture properly.
Name: Orange Fronted Parakeet
Eat: Consume Seeds, Flowers, Bugs And Invertebrates
Live: In Our Native New Zealand Forest's
Picture:
Activity 2: Flying Foxes
Not only is New Zealand home to many native birds but we also have a number of native bats. Some of these bats are really small while others are much larger. None, however, are as large as the largest bat in Australia. It is called the flying fox (pictured below) and it has a wingspan of up to 6 feet or 2 metres. Wow! That is taller than most of us! Flying foxes usually sleep during the day and hunt for food at night, using their ears to guide them through the darkness. Like other bats, they have the best hearing of any mammal. It is their ‘superpower.’
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? If I could choose, I would like to be able to fly. It would make it possible for me to fly back to Canada and visit my family whenever I wanted. How amazing would that be?!
On your blog, tell us what superpower you would like to have and why you’d like to have it.
Super Power: Flying
Why: So I Can Be Up In The Air With The Orange Fronted Parakeets
Bonus Activity: Wind Beneath My Wings
Birds and bats are just two species of animal that are able to fly. Did you know that some fish, squirrels and snakes are also able to fly? Check out the ‘Top 10 Flying Animals of the World’ website to learn more about these incredible animals.
Once you have explored the site, choose one animal and create a digital learning object (DLO, eg. a poster) that tells us all about the animal. Be sure to include at least three interesting facts and a picture or two of your animal! Please follow these instructions for attributing your pictures properly.
Here is an example of a DLO that was created about lions.
On your blog, post a final copy of your DLO.
Name: Flying Squirrel
Facts:
1. They Can Live For Up To 6 Years Unless They Are Kept In A Zoo With Full Care They Can Live Up To 15 Years
2. The Came Into Existence About 18 To 20 Million Years Ago
3. They Can Steer And Guide Themselves With Help Of Their Tail
Pictures:
Hi Nici!
ReplyDeleteWow, the Orange Fronted Parakeet is beautiful! Have you ever seen one in real life? I can't say that I have but I often see Rosella's which are from the same family of birds.
Flying is a great choice! I think that would be my pick as well - just think of all of the places you could travel without having to get on an aeroplane! That trip to Machu Picchu wouldn't be an issue after all. :)
I really like how you've related this second activity back to the first as well.
Wow, I didn't realise how long Flying Squirrels had been around! Were you able to find out where in the world they live?
You've researched some great facts Nici, and chosen an awesome picture; do you think you would be able to present them in a poster or maybe on a Google slideshow? I'd hate to not be able to give you the full points for this activity because you haven't presented it in a DLO.
Will check back soon. :)
Mikey