Bird Case Study Instructions

1. Habitat

Using bird books and other information examine both the winter and summer distribution of the birds. Using predicted temperature and precipitation change maps how will these areas change in terms of temperature and precipitation over the next few decades, centuries due to climate change. Consider if the birds have very specialized habitat needs, or live in a variety of areas. Birds with a large range may do survive better as areas change because they are likely to be able to survive at least some areas.

2. Migration routes

The same books and maps can be used to examine how the areas along the bird's migration routes will change in terms of precipitation and temperature. Remember the birds will stop along the way, and rely heavily on these regions in order to complete their journey. Take into consideration temperature and precipitation changes, but also increased storm intensities throughout tropical areas that many birds use, rising sea levels, erosions along shorelines, and other abrupt climate change impacts.

3. Food supply and specialization

Examine what the birds eat. Compare the birds being studied to the images of the bird bills adaptation chart from the Norman Bird Sanctuary. How will the survival of the bird's prey species affect the species survival? Research whether or not the prey of the birds are at risk or not when predictions about bird survival. Are they specialist or generalist eaters? Are the birds able to switch to a different prey are?

4. Historical data

The Audubon Society has been conducting Christmas Bird Counts since 1900. During this time data on bird populations and distributions have been collected and entered from across North America. Their historical data website has a great tool where you can create graphs for bird species that have been observed over the years, the numbers observed and their locations. Using the Audubon Society page create and examine the maps and graphs for your bird species in North America. Look at any trends in the observations and how they have changed over the last several decades. Incorporate this data into your prediction on whether on not the species will thrive or struggle over the next several decades.

Once you have collected all the data in these areas about your bird species make a prediction about how your bird will thrive, survive or decline over the next several decades due to abrupt climate change. Make sure to be able to justify your decision with the evidence collected.

Downloadable PDF of this teaching aid.

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