Backyard Birding for Kids: A Field Guide & Activities (Acitvities for Kids) - Softcover

Fran Lee has illustrated and designed many books in the Gibbs Smith activity book series including Cooking on a Stick, Haunting on a Halloween, Riding on a Range, Wishing on a Star, and Putting on a Party. Fran lives in Los Angeles.

Do pigeons poke around on the roof of the buildings next door to you? Are there flocks of geese and ducks that visit the pond in your city park? Have you ever watched while a hawk built a nest in the understructure of a huge bridge?

If you are visiting a new city, or if you live in the city, you will have the pleasure of watching a variety of amazing birds. If you have a bird-friendly yard, some birds may visit your backyard all year round, and others may come and go with the seasons. You might think that cities or urban areas are only full of buildings, cars, and people, but cities have many habitats that provide temporary and permanent residences for birds.

The popular birds pictured in this chapter spend some or all of their time in an urban habitat near you. Be on the lookout for them as you take a walk in the city park, visit a garden or nature spot, or go down to the water''s edge by the river or lake. If you set up a bird feeder outside your window you could attract the birds to your backyard.

Monk Parrots

Monk Parrots are tropical birds that originally came to this country to be sold as pets. Believe it or not, these birds can survive a harsh Chicago winter. For example, Monk Parrots have been living in Chicago''s Hyde Park neighborhood, nesting in Harold Washington Park since 1979.

American Robin

" Member of Thrush family

" Adult is 10 inches long

" Red puffy breast, yellow bill, black head, brown wings

" Males are brighter than females

" Young have black spots on tan breast

" Eggs are pale blue color

Did you know that the Robin is the first bird to sing in the morning? Robins like to eat earthworms, bugs, vegetables, and fruit. They also like to take baths, so having a birdbath in your backyard is a good way to invite them over.