Secret life of birds program

Learning activities 

This excursion focuses on birds, their characteristics, needs, behaviours and the environment in which they live. Students will explore the bird habitat at the Field of Mars Reserve and participate in role play activities to investigate bird behaviours. 

Inquiry questions

• What are the external features of birds?
• Where do birds live and how do they behave?
• How can we care for our native birds? 

Fieldwork

Waddle Giggle Gargle story and activities

Waddle Giggle Gargle by Pamela Allen depicts the distinctive behaviours of magpies as they swoop, nest and feed their young. The story will launch student investigations into bird behaviour and their external features. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the external features of birds by building a small bird out of clay. They will then role play bird behaviours by building a small nest for their bird and collecting woolly worms to feed their chicks. 

Bushwalk

Students will participate in a bushwalk at the Field of Mars Reserve to explore the many different bird habitats found in the Sydney bushland. They are certain to see some of the many bird inhabitants of the reserve such as wood ducks, ibis, kookaburras, swamp hens, brush turkeys and wrens.

Build a giant bird nest

Students also have the opportunity to plan and build a giant bird’s nest using the abundant natural materials in our nature play space. Using role play, students will be invited to use their nests and this nature play space to demonstrate their understanding of bird behaviour such as finding food, feeding young and evading predators.