4th Grade Bird Report

The fourth-graders spend most of their year discussing Idaho State history; the state capital, counties, state bird, state flag, state flower, state tree, the mountain ranges, rivers, indians and birds. They were also asked to bring in pictures or postcards of places they've been in Idaho. The first unit of study was Idaho birds. Each student was to write a report atleast 4 paragraphs long describing what the bird looks like, their habitat/nesting, eating habits, and migration and other interesting facts. In addition to the report, they needed to make a poster framing their report and include any photos they could find online or other places. Braden was hoping to get the Peregrine Falcon since that is his favorite bird of prey. The falcon was taken, however, and he ended up getting the Osprey. We've seen Osprey many times at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. They have a telescope pointing to the nest so you can see the babies while young. We go there 2 or 3 times each spring/summer and the kids love it. Braden was happy to get a bird he was already familiar with but even more excited that it was a bird of prey and not "just a backyard bird". Braden wanted to find an item that reflected the weight of the Osprey to put on display with his poster. He found a package of Juicy Juice juice boxes that weigh 54 ounces. He also made a replica of the actual Osprey nest complete with nesting material (twigs, grass and cotton ball pieces) and spray painted it brown to mimic a man-made structure similar to what the Osprey like. He even included a clay Osprey he made and painted in class.

OSPREY

By Braden Lungren

I enjoyed learning about the Osprey because I like birds of prey. The Osprey is a bird of prey and a good fish hunter. Its scientific name is Pandion Naliaetus. The Osprey's length is 21.3-22.8 inches. It's wingspan is 59.1-70.9 inches. It's weight is 49.4-70.5 ounces. Its coloring is whitish scaling on the tail, white breast and belly with brown and black back and wings.

The Osprey dives feet first into water to get fish. It's nickname is, Eagle of the Sea or Fish Hawk because it dives feet first, often completely submerging itself in water. The Osprey is a predator. It breeds in lakes, rivers and ponds. It eats fish. The Osprey is also a carnivore.

The Osprey lays 1 to 4 eggs at a time. Its egg length is 2.4 inches long. The egg width is 1.8 inches wide. The incubation period is 5 weeks. The nesting period is 8 to 10 weeks. The egg is white and pinkish cinnamon with spots. The hatchlings are born with limited motion, covered with down and eyes open. The nest is white to pinkish with brown reddish spots. The Osprey builds it's nest on man made sculptures.

Some cool facts about the Osprey are: They are camouflaged. It dives feet first into water. It also rebuilds its nest. It has barbs on its feet for grip. The older chick dominates its younger siblings. Its migration route in North, South and East. A good place to view an Osprey is at Lake Lowell.

A great book about the Osprey and other birds in Idaho is, Scary Creature's Birds of Prey.