OutdoorNebraska

OutdoorNebraska.gov Address correspondence to: Lindsay Rogers Nebraska Game and Parks Commission P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370. Published by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE. Second Edition • Copyright 2018. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, facility, or service, should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-0641, the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-2024, TTY/TDD 800-642-6112; Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 2024 2018-72636 ds Rev.1/19 af rev. 3/24 Front Cover: An eastern screech owl scans for small rodents and insects with its large yellow-green eyes. Nebraska's smallest owl is only about eight inches tall and weighs less than a can of soda. Photo by AdobeStock. Back Cover: The silhouetted bird in the water is an American white pelican. Photo by Jeff Kurrus. ANSWERS: p. 5 - CALCIUM, BIRD, EGGS, HOLLOW, FEATHERS, FLY, INCUBATE, ENDOTHERMIC. Nature's Waiting, Go Outside! p. 9 - A: red-headed woodpecker, B: red crossbill, C. indigo bunting, D: American goldfinch, E. black-capped chickadee, F: snowy owl. p. 11 - hawk = mouse, goose = algae, cardinal = seeds, avocet = shrimp, pelican = fish, hummingbird = nectar. p. 15 - AMERICAN AVOCET. Writer/Coordinator - Lindsay Rogers Editor - Jerry Kane Illustrations/Design - Donna Schimonitz B irds are fascinating creatures. Throughout this guide you will learn all about birds – what makes a bird a bird, how to help birds, and how to go bird watching. But, before we get started on all that, let's take a minute to learn why birds are so cool. The first known bird was an Archaeopteryx, which means "first wing." It lived about 150 million years ago. And, although it is considered the first species of bird, it did not have much in common with today's birds. For example, Archaeopteryx had teeth and a long bony tail (like a dog's). Although both birds and mammals are endothermic (make their own heat), a bird's body temperature is about 7-8 degrees F warmer than a human's. This is why we often see and hear birds first thing in the morning, before the temperatures rise. During the heat of the day birds often rest in the shade. The turkey vulture can help detect cracked or broken pipelines. The leaking fuel smells awful (like dead animals). Conveniently, dead animals are exactly what vultures eat. So, the smell of the leaking fuel attracts vultures. Using the site of vultures helps engineers determine where a leak is located. There are two kinds of birds – Precocial and altricial. Precocial birds include ducks, chickens, geese and seagulls. These species are born ready to go (almost). They have their eyes open, covered in downy feathers and are set to leave the nest fairly soon after hatching. Altricial birds, on the other hand, are born with their eyes closed, have no down to help keep them warm and are relatively helpless. These species – including owls, woodpeckers and songbirds – require their parents' constant care for much longer. Why are Birds So Cool? Why are Birds So Cool? An illustration of the Archaeopteryx eating a dragonfly provides a gauge of the bird's size. Poland commemorated the bird with a postage stamp. B 2 — BIRDOLOGY: A Kid's Book About Birds

• Cover