Island Aviaries
Name: __________________________
Honors Biology – Explore Evolution
“How birds see the world”
– The Far Side, Gary Larson
Background
Tens of thousands of years ago there was one type of bird that lived on a remote island called
Ancestral Island. All of the birds in this ancient bird population looked like the one pictured below. A
small flock of these birds decided to leave the island. They flew off to explore the oceans and other
lands. The journey was long and hard. Some of the birds became tired and could not fly on. As the flock
flew from island to island, a few birds dropped out of the journey and settled on each island. These new
islands were not like their home.
It is 2010 and you are an ornithologist (a scientist who studies birds) exploring one of these new
islands and studying how the ancestral birds have adapted to their new home since they arrived tens of
thousands of years ago. You are interested in how the ancestral birds have changed over time and
become able to successfully eat, nest, protect themselves, and reproduce on the island.
Think of four ways that the ancestral bird may have physically changed over time and,
therefore, become better able to live on the new island. Draw and collage the new island and the bird
you are observing in this habitat today. Illustrate and label the four differences between the ancestral
bird that first arrived on this island and the bird that you are observing today. Create a key that
explains (in complete sentences!) how each of the differences (physical changes) makes the new bird
better suited to survive on the island.
Hints: How might the shape, size, and color of the bird change?
What is different about its body, beak, wings, legs, feet, eggs, and/or feathers?
Ancestral Island
Habitat: urban, rural, developed open areas
Weather: Mid-Atlantic, temperate
Nest: tree branches, low bushes
Food sources: seeds, agricultural fields, bird feeders
Predators: raccoons, owls, snakes
Island Aviaries Checklist
Think of four physical differences between the ancestral bird and the bird you are observing:
1. ___________________
2. ___________________
3. ___________________
4. ___________________
Collage/illustration of the island you are visiting
Collage/illustration of the bird you are observing
Labels for each of the four physical changes about the bird
Key that explains (in complete sentences!) each physical change makes the bird better suited to
survive on the island.
Island
Aviaries
Rubric
2 pts. each
Total: 10/10
Above standard
1.6 pts each
Total: 8/10
Meets standard
1.2 pts. each
Total: 6/10
Does not meet standard
The
Island
The Island is depicted as
stated. The illustration/collage
is neat and it is clear that the
student took pride in his/her
work.
The Island is illustrated as
stated in color and with
collage.
The Island is not depicted as
stated or is not in color or
collaged.
Bird
Bird is depicted with 4 clear
physical changes.
Bird is depicted with 4 clear
physical changes and
illustrated in color.
Bird has fewer than 4
adaptations and/or is not in
color.
All 4 physical changes are
explained within the
reflection.
Fewer than 4 physical
changes are explained in the
reflection or the explanations
are not appropriate or
relevant.
The illustration is neat, in color
and it is clear that the student
took pride in his/her work.
Key
All 4 physical changes are
explained within the reflection.
The student’s thoughts are
expressed fully and clearly,
showing that the student took
pride in his/her work.
Grammar
and
Spelling
The key contains very few (3 or
less) grammatical or spelling
errors.
The key contains a few
grammatical or spelling
errors.
The key is full of grammatical
or spelling errors or is difficult
to read.
Overall
Effort
It is clear that the student took
their time and put their full
effort into the project.
Overall, the project is of
good quality.
The project does not show
that the student took pride
and put time and effort into
the project.
Salt Marsh Island
Habitat: salt marsh
Weather: warm, wet
Nest: edge of muddy marsh in tall yellow and brown
marsh grasses and sedges
Food sources: crabs, snails
Dangers: flooding
Rocky Top Island
Habitat: rocky mountain peak
Weather: cold, snowy
Nest: granite rock ledges
Vegetation: pine, spruce, and fir trees
Food sources: seeds in pine cones
Dangers: large rodents eat eggs
Great Plains Island
Habitat: open flat prairie
Weather: sunny, dry
Nest: on the ground in tall brownish-yellow grass
Food sources: worms
Dangers: hawks and snakes
Land o’ Lakes Island
Habitat: freshwater lake
Weather: rainy
Nest: make nests on the lake out of grasses, reeds,
leaves, and sticks
Food sources: fish in lake
Dangers: other birds compete for nest space on lake
Redwood Forest Island
Habitat: hardwood forest
Weather: shady
Nest: in hollows in trees
Food sources: rats, smaller birds, snakes
Predators: other birds lay their eggs in the nest and take
more food when they all hatch
Resort Island
Habitat: beach
Weather: warm, sunny, windy
Nest: gutters, porches, fire escapes, store sign letters
Food sources: restaurant leftovers, dumpsters, bird
feeders
Dangers: fast cars, stray cats