Objective to look at the bills of the Hawaiian honeycreeper to see how over time evolution enables a species to adapt to fill a variety of available niches.
Materials outline drawings of honeycreeper heads sketches or illustrations of specific Hawaiian flowers illustrations of various kinds of birds
Procedure
1.
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Discuss the terms niche and adaptation. Have the children name some animals and their adaptations to their niches.
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2.
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Show the children pictures of different kinds of birds; eagles, hawks, parrots, hummingbirds, and discuss the kinds of food they eat. Focus on the shape of the bill and the diet.
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3.
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Hand out the drawings of honeycreeper heads and the sketches of Hawaiian flowers, seeds, and beetles. Have the children work together in small groups to try to match the bird with its main food source. Encourage them to guess if they are stuck and then think about why they chose a particular match-up.
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4.
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Discuss the results of their match-ups and their reasons with the whole class.
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Evaluation
Ask the students to think about other body parts that show adaptations such as bird claws, or mammal teeth. Have them explain how the adaptation helps the animal within its niche.
Teachers note: Although the specific answers are less important than the discussion in this lesson, the correct answers are below;
2.
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ou—A. Iarge seeds
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3.
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akialoa—E. nectar from long tubular flowers
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4.
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amakihi—G. insects
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5.
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apapane—C. nectar from small flowers, and F. caterpillars
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6.
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mamo—D. tubular flowers
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7.
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ual—B. fruits
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8.
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iiwi—C. nectar from small flowers
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9.
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crested honeyeater—C. nectar from small flowers, and F. caterpillars
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Directions
Match the variety of Hawaiian Honeycreeper bird with its main food source by looking at the bill shape.
(figure available in print form)