Hummingbirds

Rufous Hummingbirds Gone Astray? Making Sense of Unsual Sightings (Back to Lesson) Grades: 3+ Overview: In Journey North, unusual sightings are common — a Monarch spotted in England or a hummingbird sighted too "early" in the season, for instance. This lesson asks students to think like scientists who ask questions about observers and their data, gather new information, and try to explain events that break from an expected pattern. Here we focus on reports of rufous hummingbirds that spend the winter in the Midwest and Southeast, rather than in the more typical Mexican wintering grounds. Learning Outcomes: Observe a hummingbird distribution map. Understand that the rufous hummingbirds spotted this winter were north of their normal winter range. Understand that scientists ask questions about observations, climate, and other types of data to make sense of unusual findings. Pose theories about how rufous hummingbirds might survive the winter in the United States. Discover scientists' theories about the adaptations and other factors that enable some rufous hummingbirds to overwinter in the United states. Teaching Note: Digging Deeper Use the following list of questions and resource links to help your students make sense of unexpected findings and sightings throughout Journey North's spring season. Making Sense of Unusual Findings: Questions to Ask >>   Facebook Pinterest Twitter © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.