Critical
Thinking. Discuss:
• How are robins able to live in many places in winter? (They can live
where
they find food, even if it's cold.)
•Why
is winter such an important feeding time for robins? (Males must eat enough
to stay strong and reach the nesting areas early so they can compete for best
territories. Females myb arrive healthy enough to lay eggs and raise young.) Do
you think winter is a more important feeding time for robins than summer
is? (In summer, hunting for food and feeding their babies is probably more
important.)
• How do you think robins stay warm in very cold weather? (A
bird's feathers are its best defense against cold weather. Robins fluff their
plumage to create
tiny air spaces that improve insulation. Birds also preserve warmth on cold nights
by huddling together in large numbers. These birds are mostly strangers drawn
together by the need for warmth. Some birds who gather on cold evenings seem
to follow a leader who knows a snug nook. The birds attract other bedfellows
with songs and calls; the more birds in the huddle, the warmer they all will
be. But there's another risk for birds that cluster close together in tight spaces
in cold weather. Those on the bottom or inner circle of a mass of feathers may
suffocate. Those on the outside of the circle may use up the last of their depleted
energy trying to gain a better position.)
Make Connections:
•The
robin's success in the summer breeding season depends on starting
out right, with a good territory. What have you done for a project
or
job to make sure you get
a
good start for later success?
• Discuss how
humans, like robins, go where they can get what they need to survive and thrive.
What do your parents look for? Write
your
thoughts
in
your
journal,
or
discuss
as a class.
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