distance learning guides Nā Māhele o ka Manu

guiding How can you use the parts of a bird to help you identify different question bird species?

what we’ll There are over 10,000 species of worldwide! They play important roles in our environment like pollinating plants as well as helping to disperse their learn seeds. Identifying birds can be tricky, but it’s rewarding to know who is helping to shape the environment around you.

Learning a little about the parts of a bird, or bird anatomy, can help us identify different bird species. For example, a field guide says the ʻUlili, or Wandering Tattler, has a “light superciliary.” If you know that the superciliary is the “eyebrow” or right above the eye of the bird, you can double check this to make sure you have correctly identified the bird you are seeing. We’ll also explore nā māhele o ka manu, the parts of the bird, in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!

time 1 hour

materials • Smartphone, tablet or desktop computer connected to the internet (to access the Cornell Bird Academy website) • “Nā Māhele o ka Manu” diagram and terms on pages 3 & 4 of this guide • Learning journal or blank pieces of paper

get started Think about birds that you have seen before, or better yet, head outside and look at some birds! Answer the following questions in your learning journal or on a piece of paper. These are to get our thoughts going and see what we already know, so there are no right or wrong answers! • What are some parts of birds that stand out to you? • Compare the parts of a bird to the parts of a human. What body parts do we share? What body parts are different? • Can you name the one physical characteristic that ONLY birds have? No other animals have this feature. If not, no worries! You can figure it out using the links in the “Explore More” section. If you can, share your answers with a family member or friend, and ask them to answer the questions too.

1 explore CHECK OUT → All About Bird Anatomy from Cornell Bird Academy

Click the box next to the “Feathers” category to apply all the types to your virtual bird. You can then click on each color-coded feather type on your bird to learn more about it. There is even a pronunciation guide for each term. You can also click on individual parts under the feather category list to turn them on or off on your bird.

We’re going to focus on feathers for this activity, but feel free to explore all 11 categories of bird anatomy included in this interactive diagram!

QUIZ MODE → Quiz yourself by toggling on the “flashcard mode!” Under the toggle, click on “flashcard settings” to select only the feather system. Activity FILL IN THE BLANKS → Go to the “Nā Māhele o ka Manu” worksheet on page 3 of this guide. Using your new knowledge about feather types and the terms and definitions on page 4, fill in the blanks on the diagram, matching the term to the correct region on the bird. Fill in both the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English terms. Color your bird too! Google “ʻIʻiwi” to see it’s true colors. To check your answers, click here to download the completed diagram on our website.

reflect Answer these questions in your learning journal or piece of paper. • What is your favorite new term that you learned for a part of a bird? • What types of feathers do you think will help you identify birds in the future? If you can, share your answers with a family member or friend.

explore CHECK OUT → More awesome learning resources from the Cornell Lab of Bird more Academy!

All About Feathers What makes birds unique? Explore the fascinating science behind feathers.

All About Bird Song You’ll never hear bird song the same way again. Learn amazing facts about how and why birds sing.

DOWNLOAD → Merlin Bird ID App by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Practice your new bird ID skills! Bird descriptions sometimes use names of feathers you just learned. See our “Kilo Manu” Activity Guide for more info! 2

I W ʻ I ʻ (DREPANIS COCCINEA) parts of the bird NĀ MĀHELE O KA MANU U (CLAW) ʻ terms U U (THROAT) ŌPŪ (BELLY) MAKA (EYE) ĒHEU () NUKU (BILL) ʻ ʻ PIKO () PU ʻ HULU (FEATHER) MĀI ʻ UMAUMA (CHEST) Fill in the boxes with the parts of with the parts in the boxes Fill terms listed below. the bird in the ʻiʻiwi! Color ANALIO (TAIL FEATHERS) ANALIO (TAIL 1. 2. 3 NĀ MĀHELE O KA MANU

Terms and Definitions

ANALIO (TAIL FEATHERS): A set of stiff feathers at the rear of the bird arranged in symmetrical pairs. Most birds have six pairs of tail feathers, all of which help them steer while flying.

ʻĒHEU (WING): The bird’s that are the key to their flying abilities.

HULU (FEATHER): Any of the flat appendages growing from a birdʻs skin and forming its . Feathers are unique to birds and they aid in , thermal insulation (keeping them warm), and waterproofing. Color patterns can serve as camouflage against predators and play an important role in communication and mate selection.

MĀIʻUʻU (CLAW): A curved, pointed nail on each of the foot, which are used for gripping and protection for the tip of the digits.

MAKA (EYE): A pair of organs in the head through which animals see. Vision is the most important sense for birds because they need good eyesight for safe flight. Since bird eyes are so large compared to their head, they have limited movement within the eye sockets. As a result, they must move their head in order to look around.

NUKU (BILL): Interchangeable with the word “”, a bony structure extending above and below a birdʻs mouth. The bill is covered in a layer of keratin and has evolved into a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the speciesʻ feeding and courtship habits.

ʻŌPŪ (BELLY): The patch along the middle of the bird right above the legs. The belly is usually covered with feathers from the surrounding areas but in most species a (a bare patch of skin) develops during the nesting season to help keep the warm during incubation.

PIKO (CROWN): The area on the very top of the head; it can be a crest when feathers are detailed or exaggerrated.

PUʻU (THROAT): An area just below the bill on the front of the bird, which can be brightly colored in some bird species.

UMAUMA (CHEST): A broad area on the front between the . ʻ I ʻ I W I (DREPANIS COCCINEA) 4