Terrestrial Birds
How healthy is the biodiversity in your school grounds and in your local area? By undertaking a bird survey, the presence (or absence) of different types of birds and the habitats they occur in provides a simple way of estimating the health of biodiversity in your area. Birds are a good indicator of health for an ecosystem because they are easily seen in and around your school and through the hills and suburbs. As different types of birds feed on different things in the food chain they are a really good indicator of the health of the overall system. You don’t need to be a bird expert to undertake this bird survey.
Looking at Habitat Diversity through Birds - A Learning Sequence (1.16Mb PDF) which instructions on undertaking the bird survey, as well as additional activities and learning ideas.
We have currently prepared a series of identification charts for some of the more common birds of the region, which you can download from the followiing links.
Common Urban Birds (700kb PDF)
Birds of the Barossa Valley (700kb PDF)
Birds of the Fleurieu Peninsula (700kb PDF)
Bushland Birds of the Adelaide Hills (700kb PDF)
You may also be interested in investigating the quality of hollows habitats and constructing nest boxes to increase the habitat value at your school/site.
Bird Tracks: Understanding South Australian Birds,
their Food & Habitat Resource
1 Information Pack – Teacher Notes & Student Activities included (8mb)
2 Observation Sheet 1 - Find Bird Food (1.9mb)
3 Table - Bird Food and Habitat (3mb)
4 Observation Sheet 2 - Find Birds (750kb)
In addition, you may like to make use of the other bird identification charts on the page linked below.
Additional information is also available on the Waterwatch Adelaide website.
Alternatively, you may like to visit the Birds in Backyards website.
Birds in Backyards is a research, education and conservation program focusing on the birds that live where people live. Get involved by becoming a member and taking part in their online surveys. Learn about how you can create bird-friendly spaces in your garden and local community. Find out more about Australian birds and their habitats.
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