WebLessons: Birds and Mammals
Dallas Zoological Society Partnership : Animal Classes
Birds and Mammals
Quick Facts
The smallest bird is the Bee Hummingbird at 2.24 in (5.7cm) and 0.056 oz (1.6g).
The heaviest and tallest is the African Ostrich at 345 lb (156 kg) and 9 ft (2.7 m).
The heaviest flying bird is the Great Bustard at ~46 lb (21 kg); greatest wingspan is the Wandering Albatross at 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m).
The largest egg is that of the ostrich at 7 x 4.5 in (17.8 x 14 cm) (B) One ostrich egg makes the equivalent of a 16-egg omelet!
The fastest bird is thought to be the diving Peregrine Falcon at 175 mph or more.
There are more than 4,200 species of mammals. All but two give birth to live young. The other two - the Duck-Billed Platypus and the Echidna - hatch their young from eggs.
The cheetah is the fastest mammal (and land animal) and can run 60 to 70 mph.
The biggest mammal is the blue whale, growing to 80 feet and 120 tons.
A female Pacific Grey Whale gestates and delivers a 2000 pound baby, migrates over 10,000 miles, and produces 6 tons of breastmilk without eating a bite of food -- using just her blubber for fuel.
Hooded Seals go from infancy to childhood to adolescence and then to adulthood in just four days - the shortest childhood of any mammal.
A polar bear looks white, but he isn't really. His long, shaggy hairs are colorless and hollow. Beneath his hair, the skin is black.
 
Begin the Lesson
Whole Class Introduction to the Lesson
You will need at least one computer with Internet connectivity and a projection device, a classroom with more than one computer, or access to a computer lab.
For this introduction and activity, you will need approximately 10 minutes.
Watch the horse and her foul in the video clip. http://mfile.akamai.com/34/rm/covery.download.akamai.com/34/dcol/school/2001/08/08/whatsamammal.ram?obj=dsspspm409v001 . Unlike animals in any other class, mammals give birth to live young and nurse them with milk until they are old enough to care for themselves.
Sample Questions:
What animals and their babies have you encountered.
Why do mammals need to nurture their young?
Is it possible for an animal to communicate? Give an example.
What makes an animal “social”?
The answers will vary. Students should offer a variety of examples.
As part of the introduction, you may want to review some of the glossary terms in advance of students going online. At this point you can launch the WebLesson as whole-class activity using a projection device, or you can assign students to work individually or in teams in a computer lab.
WebLesson Sites
Introduction
Dogs, cats, cockatoos, parrots, hamsters, parakeets, even horses are common pets that humans have come to adore. While these birds and mammals may join our families at home, there is thousands of bird and mammal species that are not as suitable living in a residential environment.
With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, they vary in a myriad of ways. From the way they flock, to the way they eat, nest and migrate, birds are truly diverse living beings. Belonging to Class Aves, birds are the winged animals that can walk on land, fly in the sky, and swim in the water.
Mammals have the fewest number of species of the Animal Kingdom classes, but they are just as vast and unique. With their warm-blooded hairy bodies and ability to nurse their young, mammals exhibit the strongest bonds with their offspring. Studying social patterns in the Mammal group is a large area of biological research. Humans, the most complex and intelligent, are an entire branch of science in and of themselves.
Scenario
You are a representative from the national bird and animal preservation organization. You are studying the birds and mammals that reside in the United States for a status report that you will give to the community. In researching those animals, you will come across many interesting species and will learn about their habitats. You will present all of the data you collect at the end of your investigation.
Lesson Pages
Conclusion & Project
Conclusion
While we can observe many of the species of birds and mammals in zoos, wildlife exhibits, and in regulated safaris, they represent only a fraction of all of the species of birds and mammals in the world. Some animals, such as the white-tailed deer, brown bear, and sea otter reside at just about any local zoo. Other animals, such as the koala, kangaroo, kingfisher, and the wallaby are indigenous to other parts of the world and we therefore may only have a rare chance to encounter them. With the rapid expansion of industrialization in an ever-growing world, the natural habitats for many of these animals are disappearing. This has placed several species at risk of endangerment. There are efforts to protect the Earth’s ecosystems, but we need to do more before we lose certain species forever.
Project
Write a report sharing your insights to the main birds and mammals that are endangered in the United States. Discuss the reasons that they are endangered. Describe methods in which the community can help reverse this trend.
Glossary
altricial - bird species that is born naked and helpless and rely on the care of their parents
ambergris - a waxy grayish substance formed in the intestines of sperm whales and found floating at sea or washed ashore; it is added to perfumes to slow down the rate of evaporation
amniote egg - egg with a hard, outer shell; inside the egg are a series of fluid-filled membranes including the amnion, allantois, yolk sac, and chorion which all help to protect and sustain the developing embryo
binocular vision - an animal that can only focus both of its eyes straight ahead on only one object
captivity - the state or period of being imprisoned or confined
cere - fleshy area above the beak, where the nostrils of most birds are located
convergent evolution - process whereby organisms not closely related independently acquire similar characteristics while evolving in separate and sometimes varying ecosystems
crop - small sac at the bottom of the esophagus that is used to temporarily store food until it is ready to be digested in the stomach
diaphragm - a muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration
echolocation - a sensory system in certain animals in which usually high-pitched sounds are emitted and their echoes interpreted to determine the direction and distance of objects
endothermy - the ability for an organism to regulate its own blood temperature
ethology - branch of zoology that studies animal behavior
gestation - the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal
gizzard - muscular portion of the stomach that grinds food as birds do not have teeth to do this
keratin - a tough, fibrous protein; the basic substance of hair, nails, horns, feathers, shafts, etc.
krill - the collection of small marine crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea that are the principal food of baleen whales
molt - to shed feathers, skin, horns, etc. before replacement with new growth
monocular vision - an animal that can focus its eyes independently, seeing two different objects at once
monotremes - mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young
morphology - the branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of organisms without consideration of function
ornithology - the study of birds
pellet - the unusable and undigested material that a bird cannot process for nutrients, and is regurgitated in the form of a pellet
phylogenetic systematics - the way that biologists reconstruct the pattern of events that have led to the distribution and diversity of life
pinniped - a suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes the seals, walruses, and similar animals having finlike flippers as organs of locomotion
placental - a membranous vascular organ that develops in female mammals during pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus, to which it is attached by the umbilical cord
precocial - bird species that is born with feathers and are able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching
preening - a process that most birds do with an oil secreted from a special gland; involves rubbing the oil over its feathers to protect them
ratite - bird with reduced sternum, flattened wings and no ability to fly
shaft - the stem of a feather; the hollow tube that holds the feathers together and in place; also known as the richis
thermal updraft - air pockets that produce or cause heat
Dallas Zoological Society Partnership : Animal Classes
Birds and Mammals
Introduction
Introduction
Dogs, cats, cockatoos, parrots, hamsters, parakeets, even horses are common pets that humans have come to adore. While these birds and mammals may join our families at home, there is thousands of bird and mammal species that are not as suitable living in a residential environment.
With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, they vary in a myriad of ways. From the way they flock, to...
Lesson Plan
Quick Facts
The smallest bird is the Bee Hummingbird at 2.24 in (5.7cm) and 0.056 oz (1.6g).
The heaviest and tallest is the African Ostrich at 345 lb (156 kg) and 9 ft (2.7 m).
The heaviest flying bird is the Great Bustard at ~46 lb (21 kg); greatest wingspan is the Wandering Albatross at 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m).
The largest egg is that of the ostrich at 7 x 4.5 in (17.8 x 14 cm) (B) One ostrich egg makes the equivalent of a 16-egg omelet!
The fastest bird is thought to be the diving Peregrine Falcon at 175 mph or more.
There are more than 4,200 species of mammals. All but two give birth to live young. The other two - the Duck-Billed Platypus and the Echidna - hatch their young from eggs.
The cheetah is the fastest mammal (and land animal) and can run 60 to 70 mph.
The biggest mammal is the blue whale, growing to 80 feet and 120 tons.
A female Pacific Grey Whale gestates and delivers a 2000 pound baby, migrates over 10,000 miles, and produces 6 tons of breastmilk without eating a bite of food -- using just her blubber for fuel.
Hooded Seals go from infancy to childhood to adolescence and then to adulthood in just four days - the shortest childhood of any mammal.
A polar bear looks white, but he isn't really. His long, shaggy hairs are colorless and hollow. Beneath his hair, the skin is black.
 
Begin the Lesson
Whole Class Introduction to the Lesson
You will need at least one computer with Internet connectivity and a projection device, a classroom with more than one computer, or access to a computer lab.
For this introduction and activity, you will need approximately 10 minutes.
Watch the horse and her foul in the video clip. http://mfile.akamai.com/34/rm/covery.download.akamai.com/34/dcol/school/2001/08/08/whatsamammal.ram?obj=dsspspm409v001 . Unlike animals in any other class, mammals give birth to live young and nurse them with milk until they are old enough to care for themselves.
Sample Questions:
What animals and their babies have you encountered.
Why do mammals need to nurture their young?
Is it possible for an animal to communicate? Give an example.
What makes an animal “social”?
The answers will vary. Students should offer a variety of examples.
As part of the introduction, you may want to review some of the glossary terms in advance of students going online. At this point you can launch the WebLesson as whole-class activity using a projection device, or you can assign students to work individually or in teams in a computer lab.
WebLesson Sites
Introduction
Dogs, cats, cockatoos, parrots, hamsters, parakeets, even horses are common pets that humans have come to adore. While these birds and mammals may join our families at home, there is thousands of bird and mammal species that are not as suitable living in a residential environment.
With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, they vary in a myriad of ways. From the way they flock, to the way they eat, nest and migrate, birds are truly diverse living beings. Belonging to Class Aves, birds are the winged animals that can walk on land, fly in the sky, and swim in the water.
Mammals have the fewest number of species of the Animal Kingdom classes, but they are just as vast and unique. With their warm-blooded hairy bodies and ability to nurse their young, mammals exhibit the strongest bonds with their offspring. Studying social patterns in the Mammal group is a large area of biological research. Humans, the most complex and intelligent, are an entire branch of science in and of themselves.
Scenario
You are a representative from the national bird and animal preservation organization. You are studying the birds and mammals that reside in the United States for a status report that you will give to the community. In researching those animals, you will come across many interesting species and will learn about their habitats. You will present all of the data you collect at the end of your investigation.
Lesson Pages
Conclusion & Project
Conclusion
While we can observe many of the species of birds and mammals in zoos, wildlife exhibits, and in regulated safaris, they represent only a fraction of all of the species of birds and mammals in the world. Some animals, such as the white-tailed deer, brown bear, and sea otter reside at just about any local zoo. Other animals, such as the koala, kangaroo, kingfisher, and the wallaby are indigenous to other parts of the world and we therefore may only have a rare chance to encounter them. With the rapid expansion of industrialization in an ever-growing world, the natural habitats for many of these animals are disappearing. This has placed several species at risk of endangerment. There are efforts to protect the Earth’s ecosystems, but we need to do more before we lose certain species forever.
Project
Write a report sharing your insights to the main birds and mammals that are endangered in the United States. Discuss the reasons that they are endangered. Describe methods in which the community can help reverse this trend.
Glossary
altricial - bird species that is born naked and helpless and rely on the care of their parents
ambergris - a waxy grayish substance formed in the intestines of sperm whales and found floating at sea or washed ashore; it is added to perfumes to slow down the rate of evaporation
amniote egg - egg with a hard, outer shell; inside the egg are a series of fluid-filled membranes including the amnion, allantois, yolk sac, and chorion which all help to protect and sustain the developing embryo
binocular vision - an animal that can only focus both of its eyes straight ahead on only one object
captivity - the state or period of being imprisoned or confined
cere - fleshy area above the beak, where the nostrils of most birds are located
convergent evolution - process whereby organisms not closely related independently acquire similar characteristics while evolving in separate and sometimes varying ecosystems
crop - small sac at the bottom of the esophagus that is used to temporarily store food until it is ready to be digested in the stomach
diaphragm - a muscular membranous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and functioning in respiration
echolocation - a sensory system in certain animals in which usually high-pitched sounds are emitted and their echoes interpreted to determine the direction and distance of objects
endothermy - the ability for an organism to regulate its own blood temperature
ethology - branch of zoology that studies animal behavior
gestation - the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal
gizzard - muscular portion of the stomach that grinds food as birds do not have teeth to do this
keratin - a tough, fibrous protein; the basic substance of hair, nails, horns, feathers, shafts, etc.
krill - the collection of small marine crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea that are the principal food of baleen whales
molt - to shed feathers, skin, horns, etc. before replacement with new growth
monocular vision - an animal that can focus its eyes independently, seeing two different objects at once
monotremes - mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young
morphology - the branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of organisms without consideration of function
ornithology - the study of birds
pellet - the unusable and undigested material that a bird cannot process for nutrients, and is regurgitated in the form of a pellet
phylogenetic systematics - the way that biologists reconstruct the pattern of events that have led to the distribution and diversity of life
pinniped - a suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes the seals, walruses, and similar animals having finlike flippers as organs of locomotion
placental - a membranous vascular organ that develops in female mammals during pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus, to which it is attached by the umbilical cord
precocial - bird species that is born with feathers and are able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching
preening - a process that most birds do with an oil secreted from a special gland; involves rubbing the oil over its feathers to protect them
ratite - bird with reduced sternum, flattened wings and no ability to fly
shaft - the stem of a feather; the hollow tube that holds the feathers together and in place; also known as the richis
thermal updraft - air pockets that produce or cause heat
Curriculum Standards
TEXAS
112.22. Science, Grade 6
(2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(B)  collect data by observing and measuring;
(C)  analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence;
(D)  communicate valid conclusions
(10)  Science concepts. The student knows the relationship between structure and function in living systems. The student is expected to:
(A)  differentiate between structure and function;
112.23. Science, Grade 7
(2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(B)  collect data by observing and measuring;
(C)  organize, analyze, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence;
(D)  communicate valid conclusions; and
(12)  Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment.
112.24. Science, Grade 8
2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(B)  collect data by observing and measuring;
(C)  organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence;
(D)  communicate valid conclusions
112.43. Biology
(2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(B)  collect data and make measurements with precision;
(C)  organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data; and
(D)  communicate valid conclusions.
(12)  Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an ecosystem. The student is expected to:
(C)  compare variations, tolerances, and adaptations of plants and animals in different biomes;
112.43. Biology
(2)  Scientific processes. The student uses scientific methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(A)  plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting equipment and technology;
(B)  collect data and make measurements with precision;
(C)  organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data; and
(D)  communicate valid conclusions.
(8)  Science concepts. The student knows applications of taxonomy and can identify its limitations. The student is expected to:
(A)  collect and classify organisms at several taxonomic levels such as species, phylum, and kingdom using dichotomous keys;
(B)  analyze relationships among organisms and develop a model of a hierarchical classification system based on similarities and differences using taxonomic nomenclature; and
NATIONAL
As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop:
*Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
*Understandings about scientific inquiry
As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding:
*Structure and function in living systems
*Regulation and behavior
*Diversity and adaptations of organisms
Differentiated Learning
Here are some projects that can be used after the students have completed the online assignment or as a complement to your lesson. The students can use any media deemed appropriate for the project. Each has been recommended with specific student groups in mind.
AS-All Students
SN-Special Needs
Individual and Group Projects
Watch the Animal Adaptations video on emperor penguins http://mfile.akamai.com/34/rm/covery.download.akamai.com/34/dcol/school/legacy_media/g2/2001/11/13/animaladaptations.ram?obj=dsdsdsmukv001 . You are a biologist visiting Antarctica studying the Emperor penguin. Write a letter home describing your visit. GT
Choose four marsupial animals and create a booklet that will describe their characteristics. Be sure to include images. Use the Enchanted Learning Marsupial Web page to help you http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/ . AS, SN
Identify the parts of the bird on the diagram at http://www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/birdsofprey/partsquiz.html . AS, ESL, SN
Choose five species of birds and create a pamphlet describing these birds. Be sure to include a mix of facts and images. AS
Create a geological time scale and mark where each animal class evolved. Provide pictures and examples for each class. GT
Final Project – Whole Class
The Giant Panda, the Asian Elephant, the orangutan, the whooping crane, and the chestnut-bellied hummingbird are all animals listed on the Endangered Species list. They are only a small percentage of the species that are currently at risk. Using the World Wildlife Fund’s Wild Finder Web site http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildfinder/searchByPlace.cfm , have students list and describe the animals that are endangered in your region. Depending upon your town, you may need to expand upon or focus in on one place within your local area. Students should work in groups of two or three and each group should focus on two birds and two mammals. Ask students to create a chart or diagram to present their data. Place all charts on a common wall when finished so that students may share their information.
 
Collection of National Geographic video clips on animals
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
More on the animal kingdom and taxonomy
Thomson
Guide to the Animal Kingdom
Thomson Biology Browser
Enter any group of animals or specific animal for extensive resource lists
Questions & Answer Keys
Study Questions and Answer Keys
Why does relying on the fossil record pose problems in accuracy in determining the evolutionary history of animals?
Answer: Over time and with weathering, erosion, compression, and other such forces, fossils can be separated, mixed up, altered, or chemically different. When paleontologists try and piece together the bones and fossils, they can never be 100% sure so there is always room for improvement and further discovery.
Describe a scenario in which your own mother or father has participated in an altruistic relationship with someone.
Answer: Students may describe a variety of situations. Examples would be car pool, inviting children over when a parent is sick or traveling, taking food to a family that is dealing with an issue of some sort, etc.
Describe what the beak structure on a bird might indicate.
Answer: Birds with tiny pointy beaks probably eat small insects. Birds with long narrow beaks use them to scoop fish out of the water. Birds with large hard beaks are most likely meat-eaters.
Describe how the bird structure allows them to fly.
Answer: Birds have hollow bones so they are lighter. They have a sternum that is shaped like a keel for muscle attachment and they have wings and feathers. They also have shortened tails, which reduces their overall weight.
How are birds and reptiles similar?
Answer: Both birds and reptiles lay eggs, have similar eyes and brains, have similar skull and ear bones, have partially hollow bones, and have similar blood proteins.
How are birds and reptiles different?
Answer: Birds have feathers and reptiles have scales. Birds are warm-blooded and reptiles are cold-blooded.
Describe the four types of feathers found on birds and how they are used.
Answer: Contour feathers are light but strong and streamline the bird making it smooth and aerodynamic. Down feathers are soft and fuzzy and located close to the body to help keep the bird warm. Flight feathers are a type of contoured feather located on the wings and they help the bird to fly. Tail feathers are also long and streamlined and they are used to balance, steer, and brake.
Describe the various functions of the tail.
Answer: The tail feathers can serve as a rudder to allow the bird to ride on thermal updrafts. They can fan out into a large fan, which will give extra lift. When the tail feathers are brought together, the bird can move with greater speed.
Describe the shape of the Akiapola’au’s beak. How does the bird use its beak?
Answer: The beak is long, narrow with a slight curve and very sharp. This bird uses its beak to tap and peck trees and wood for tiny insect larvae.
Describe one bird that is of particular interest to you. What does it look like and what is it doing in the video clip?
Answer: Students will offer a variety of answers here.
Describe the general characteristics of mammals that make them unique from all other animals in the Animal Kingdom.
Answer: They give birth to live young and feed them through milk produced in their mammary glands. Mammals have hair or fur, breathe using a diaphragm, produce sweat, have a highly developed four-chambered heart, and a large cerebral cortex.
Describe how marine mammals have adapted to life in the cold sea.
Answer: They have thick layers of fat called blubber and/or thick fur to keep them warm. Their bodies are streamlined and they have learned extensive breath control by storing excess oxygen in their muscles. They have greater control over their circulatory systems and can therefore regulate the amount of blood flow to certain areas of the body, thus decreasing oxygen usage.
Describe the sea otters’ eating habits.
Answer: Sea otters scoop up shelled mollusks such as clams and abalone and use stones to split open the tough shells. They are voracious eaters and can eat up to 30% of their own body weight each day.
Why are polar bears considered to be marine animals?
Answer: They obtain most of their food from the ocean, they spend long amounts of time in the water and are streamlined for fast swimming, have a layer of blubber unlike any other species of bear, and have webbed feet to aid in swimming.
Describe the unique birthing process of marsupials.
Answer: The marsupial embryo is actually born after only a few weeks. It crawls from the mother’s birth canal to the mammary glands (nipples) which are located in a warm nourishing pouch. It is here that the animal continues to grow and develop until it is ready to join the world.
Describe the typical gorilla family life.
Answer: One or two adult males (12 years old) are in charge of the group, called silverbacks. They provide protection and direction and organize the gathering of food. The females in the group have babies at age ten and share a close relationship with their offspring for about four years.
Quiz Questions & Answers
Which of the following statements is true?
Answer: A. Birds have large eyes and can see color.
Birds most likely descended from
Answer: C. dinosaurs
Project
Write a report sharing your insights to the main birds and mammals that are endangered in the United States. Discuss the reasons that they are endangered. Describe methods in which the community can help reverse this trend.
Rubric
Excellent (30 – 20)
An excellent student response meets all the project requirements and demonstrates that the student absorbed key lesson concepts and gave them thoughtful consideration. The response shows original thinking, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose. Ideas are organized and clearly articulated according to the proper conventions of writing (at this grade level).
Satisfactory (20 – 10)
A satisfactory student response meets most of the project requirements but overlooks one or more important elements. It reflects a general understanding of the key lesson concepts but shows little depth. The response shows little creativity or originality. Ideas are somewhat disorganized and difficult to follow, and there are numerous grammatical and mechanical errors.
Needs Improvement (10 – 0)
The student response is perfunctory, showing little or no effort. It is unclear if the student thought about or even read any of the lesson content. Ideas are scattered or off-topic. If possible, ask the student to revisit the lesson with a peer or mentor and then rewrite his or her response.