What's in a Name: Monikers for Migrating Eagles Do you find it kind of cumbersome to use numbers instead of names? Scientists that track migrating animals usually assign them numbers instead of names. They do this for a reason. Can you think why? Tracking the eagles in your classroom this year might be easier if you give them their own names. Create Your Own Classroom Eagle Names Why not make your own personal classroom names for the eagles that are tracked by satellite this season? Their names should reflect the attributes surrounding each bird. Research and gather information about each bird: Define each eagle’s “winter range” gathering clues from studying the maps of this range. (See earlier lesson, Home on the Winter Range. ) Review each eagle’s migration data and maps and gather clues about their wintering ground and nesting site. Learn about their capture and think about anything that stands out about that day. Visit our Resource Page for their capture stories. Make special note of their migration behavior; do they seem to know right where they want to go, or do they spend a lot of time flying far and wide throughout the skies? Do they go back to the same lake, river or woodlot each year? What is special about each bird? Use all of this information to help you suggest names for the birds. Use a large sheet of paper to list all of the different clues. Present each suggestion to the class and discuss why you chose the names. Vote for your favorite names. A Caribou Naming Story One year Journey North students were given the honor of naming 2 caribou that were captured and satellite collared in the Yukon’s Porcupine Caribou herd. The winning names were chosen because of the careful thought used to create them. One was named Helen of Troy, because Helen would launch a thousand research projects. The other was named Carmen Sandiego, because although she is hard to find, thanks to the clues from the satellite, technology can find where she is. Copyright 2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form