Welcome to Classroom Connections—where every lesson moves from field to classroom. Each post features Ecology Blueprints, real-world Field Notes, and practical Classroom Connections designed to help you teach wildlife science, food webs, anatomy, and ecosystems with confidence.
And bring each lesson to life in your classroom—starting today.
Ornithologists are those who work with and study birds. They may study them in the wild or a laboratory environment.
Piping Plovers are a species of shorebird. They’ve faced difficulties with their population numbers because they face several threats in their habitats.
They stand 11 to almost 15 inches tall, with a wingspan of over 8 to almost 11 inches. They weigh between 6 and 12 ounces.
Do you know the difference between ravens and crows? It can be hard to tell them apart. However, there are some key differences between the two.
They stand at 6 to almost 8 inches tall, with a wingspan of 5 to 6. 5 inches.
Have you heard of banding? It’s a way to keep track of certain animals. It involves putting a small band (sometimes multiple) around a bird’s leg.
Birds of all kinds will do their best to attract a mate for the breeding season in the spring. Their efforts show off their strength and health – proving to the females that they’ll pass on strong genes to the offspring.
Today, we’re focusing on the Utah Prairie Dog. The only place they’re found is a small area of Utah.
The Spectacled Owl is named because of the markings on its face that make it look like it’s wearing glasses! They have dark brown feathers on their face, with white streaks between and around the eyes.
Have you ever considered what the criteria are for a bird to be a raptor? It can get pretty complicated. Mostly because A, some people usually use the term “raptor” interchangeably with the term “bird of prey”; B, because some people also only use “raptor” to discuss birds that are Falconiformes; and C, because scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what classifies a bird as a raptor.
They prefer habitats that are open, like prairies or deserts. The majority of their time is spent on the ground, and they have long legs compared to other owls, which helps them run along the ground and capture their prey.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are pretty common owls that live in forest environments. They can usually be found in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, and they’ll make their nests in the cavities of trees.
