In autumn, watching flocks of migratory birds with their baby, loving parents tell the child what journey awaits birds in warm places. And having heard the question, why do ducks and storks do not want to winter with us, many mothers and fathers think. The most obvious answer seems to be that just not all birds can tolerate the coming cold. But this is not entirely true. So how do you answer the question of your little why-thing?
Birds fly away to warm places not because they are very afraid of the cold. Feathers and warm fluff between them protect the birdie as well as your jacket and panties protect you from frost.
But there is something that not only our little flying friends cannot live without, but also all animals and people. Right, no food. What do birds eat? Insects, grains, some even frogs and rodents. Have you seen flies and butterflies in winter? Because insects hide in the cold season and fall asleep until spring.
The birds remain to live with us until they can easily find food for themselves, and then begin to gather for departure.
- Insectivorous birds are the first to leave us: rooks, swallows, wagtails, etc.
- Then, when it becomes difficult to find grain and fruits of trees for food, finches, siskins, oatmeal are prepared on a long journey. After all, if the snow wraps the earth, it will be very difficult to find food for our feathered friends.
- Waterfowl last fly away: ducks, geese, swans. Because in winter, all water bodies freeze, and it is almost impossible to find suitable food for feathered lake inhabitants. At the same time, cranes and storks leave us, in the usual diet of which frogs and rodents are included.
Only those birds that winter can get food for themselves without wintering remain. For example, crossbills living in the forest feed on seeds from cones of conifers: spruce, pine. Sparrows, crows, pigeons, tits have long adapted to life in cities where it is easy to find something edible.
People help birds survive the cold and hungry times: they make feeders where they put seeds and grains. Remember, we treated the pigeons with crumbs in the park? Many do this, so the city birds are not afraid to stay with us for the winter.
About this you can have a conversation with an inquisitive baby. Do not forget that sometimes it’s very useful for a child to first think about his own task in search of an answer. Your leading questions can help him get to the bottom of the problem. This will have a good effect on children's self-esteem, create an experience of success, and encourage further independent study and analysis of the surrounding world.
We also read: How to explain to a child why the sky is blue
Shishkin school. Natural History. Migratory birds
In the video we find out which birds fly south, and why they do it. We’ll also learn how to keep track of migratory birds:
Fairly competent explanation. I would also add more about how the birds find their way back to their native land from the warm edges! If the baby is older, then she would talk about magnets in the head of birds, thereby touching on the topic of magnetic fields from physics.
Honestly, I would probably answer such a question, too, as most parents do - that the birds can not stand the cold. Now I will definitely know how to answer my child on this topic.
For a long time I explained to my son who these settled birds are and who are the migratory ones. She talked about distinguishing in nutrition. Faced with even more questions. As a result, she called for help from her grandmother (teacher-biologist) and together with her they reached the point of genetics. My son is now 12, still shows great interest in biology.