Mutation Nation

Discover how bird beak shapes are key adaptations for survival and diet! Interactive science lab activity.

Objective: To observe how the shape of a bird’s beak determines what it eatsBackground Information: Birds are a varied species of animal. They can have brightly colored feathers or be camouflaged within their environment. Their feet can be webbed for swimming, have talons for shredding, or adapted for sitting on limbs. Their beaks can also tell a lot about the types of food that the bird can eat. This lab demonstrates how the shape of a bird’s beak decides what food within the environment is suitable for consumption. Form a hypothesis about bird's beaks. If they have this kind of beak (type of beak), they will survive in this type of environment (type of environment). Answer the two questions before beginning the lab. 1. What is an adaptation?2. Give an example of an animal and two adaptations. (Ex: Dog-Fur to keep warm, Smell-to help it find food). You cannot use a dog as an example Build a Bird What You Do: Go to the website and build a bird that can survive at least 80% of the time. You must make at least one change to each category. Write down the type of wing you picked, the head, feet, habitat, and the percent survival. You must have at least 80% survival or it does not countTry to get the lowest possible percent chance of survival. Make sure you are writing down the wing type, head type, feet, habitat, and the percent chance of survival. Wing Type (1-6) Head Type (1-6) Feet (1-6) Habitat (1-6) Percent chance of survival What Happened? The Results: Answer the following questions: You must answer each question.1. In nature, how are birds’ beaks adapted to their environment?2. How can a large variety of birds eat and live in the same area as one another without starving?3. What do you think would happen if a bird’s beak were adapted to certain food and that food was unavailable?4. Was your hypothesis correct?5. What would happen if the birds from this activity flew to a remote island in the North Pacific where no other birds lived and the only food source is a small mealworm shaped like rotini pasta?6. Which birds do you think would be most successful?7. Which do you think would be least successful?8. You visit that same island on your 50th wedding anniversary. What do you think the bird populations will look like? (Think about the highest and lowest percent chance of survival)