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Bird Study Merit Badge

1. Explain the need for bird study and why birds are useful indicators of the quality of the environment. Describe how birds are part of the ecosystem.

5. Observe and be able to identify at least 20 species of wild birds. Prepare a

field notebook, making a separate entry for each species, and record the

following information from your field observations and other references.

(a) Note the date and time.

(b) Note the location and habitat.

(c) Describe the bird’s main feeding habitat and list two types of food that the

bird is likely to eat.

(d) Note whether the bird is a migrant or a summer, winter, or year-round

resident of your area.

Use the workbook to record birds:

http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Bird-Study.pdf

6. Describe to your counselor how certain orders of birds are uniquely adapted

to a specific habitat. In your description, include characteristics such as the

size and shape of the following:

(a) Beak

(b) Body

(c) Leg and foot

(d) Feathers/plumage

Read merit badge pamphlet.  You can download the pamphlet online!

BIRD STUDY Merit Badge PamphletTroop 109https://www.troop109nj.com › app › download

7. Explain the function of a bird’s song. Be able to identify five of the 20 species

in your field notebook by song or call alone. For each of these five species, enter

a description of the song or call, and note the behavior of the bird making the

sound. Note why you think the bird was making the call or song that you heard.

You will give me a list of 5 or more birds. I will play a recording and you will need to get five correct.  It would be great if you learned some songs while birding to best learn them.

8. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Go on a field trip with a local club or with others who are knowledgeable

about birds in your area.

(1) Keep a list or fill out a checklist of all the birds your group observed

during the field trip.

(2) Tell your counselor which birds your group saw and why some species

were common and some were present in small numbers.

(3) Tell your counselor

Here is bird checklist you can print out!

https://mdbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/MOS_MD-Field-Checklist.pdf

9. Do ONE of the following. For the option you choose, describe what birds you

hope to attract, and why.

(a) Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate place in your yard or

another location.

(b) Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate place.

(c) Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting trees and shrubs for food

and cover.

You can email me a picture.  I will accept bird houses.

10. Do the following:

(a) Explain the differences between extinct, endangered, and threatened.

(b) Identify a bird species that is on the endangered or threatened list. Explain

what caused their decline. Discuss with your counselor what can be done to

reverse this trend and what can be done to help remove the species from the

endangered or threatened list.

Here is a great video about birds endangered in Maryland.  Watch and you will be able answer question B

11. Identify three career opportunities connected to the study of birds. Pick one

and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession.

Discuss with your counselor if this profession might interest you. Here are two professions, you will need research another in the merit badge pamphlet or online!

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