Bird Classification
– G. Radcliffe, 2004
Lab 3A – Bird Classification
Problem: Develop a classification system for organizing birds.
Background Information: When we classify, we try to group organisms with similar characteristics. You are grouped with whales, dogs, horses, and bats because you have characteristics in common with them: warm-blooded, hair, give birth to live offspring, and feed young milk. We could have grouped you with birds because you have 2 legs, and we could have grouped whales with fish. What is important in classification is to select the most important similarities and differences as the basis for grouping. The body of a human is very different from that of a bird, and even though whales have no legs and are aquatic, our internal organs and reproductive process are almost identical.
Pre-Lab Question:
Separate the items below in 2 groups, and then tell why you divided them that way.
Stove, refrigerator, TV, radio
Procedure:
- Classify the 15 birds listed in the data below.
- Complete the chart below using available field guides to see the birds.
- Use the information to then complete the classification chart started below.
- Use the classification rules that you have previously used.
- Begin with 1 group, and divide into 2.
- Subdivide these 2 groups into 2 more.
- Continue subdividing until each remaining group has only 1 species in it.
- Once species are separated, never recombine them.
- When dividing, create 2 groups that do not overlap.
- For each group created, list the numbers of the species included in that group.
CLASSIFICATION CHART
BIRD SPECIES | ||||||
Predator: Hooked Beak and Talons | Not a Predator: No Hooked Beak,Talons | |||||
10, 11 | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15 | |||||
Complete chart
Species | Length | Beak | Feet | Tail | Wing Marking | Nest | Habitat | Other | |
1 | Robin | ||||||||
2 | Bluebird | cavity | Brown breast | ||||||
3 | Cardinal | Fat, orange | |||||||
4 | Tufted Titmouse | Crest | |||||||
5 | Downy Woodpecker | 4 toes | cavity | White back | |||||
6 | A. Goldfinch | Black wings with white stripes | Edges,lawns | ||||||
7 | Red-winged Blackbird | ||||||||
8 | Common Grackle | long | Shiny, black | ||||||
9 | Song Sparrow | Brush, gardens | Black dot on breast | ||||||
10 | Kestrel | Talons | Long, brown | Pointed, curved back | Cavity | ||||
11 | E. Screechowl | Cavity | |||||||
12 | Mourning Dove | Long, pointed | |||||||
13 | Ruby-throated Hummingbird | ||||||||
14 | Carolina Wren | Slim, curved | Pointed up | White eye stripe | |||||
15 | Mockingbird |