BirdSleuth+Briefs


 * Sillhouette Species**

1**. woodpecker:** These birds are characterized by short legs that help them hold onto the side of trees while they peck holes with their strong pointed beaks in search of food. They have a stiff straight tail that is also used for supporting them, and some have a distinct crest of feathers on the top of their head.

2. **perching bird**: This bird group is very diverse and includes birds like finches, sparrows and jays. Characterized by an upright posture and tails of varying lengths and shapes that hang below them when perched on a branch. Their beaks can be many lengths and shapes depending on their diet.


 * 3. bird of prey:** This bird group includes birds such as hawks, eagles and falcons. They have adaptations for catching, tearing apart, and eating prey such as talons and curved beaks.

4. **hummingbird**- These birds are the smallest with very long narrow beaks good for reaching inside flowers to feed on nectar. In flight they can be confused with insects because of their extremely fast beating wings and their sometimes erratic hovering motions.

5. **waterfowl**- This group of birds is made up of ducks, geese and swans. As the name suggests they are usually found near or in water. They have thick bodies and flattened beaks. Their necks can be short, like most ducks or very long in geese and swans

6. **wading bird**- This group includes herons, cranes, and storks. Their beaks are generally long and pointed for reaching under water to feed and their long legs allow them to wade in the water to feed without their body being in the water.

Citizen Science is a program that connects people and scientists across the continent to collect information and data used in real scientific work. One of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's programs is called eBird, which is an easy to use online project that collects data from people about their local birds. The information is compiled and used by scientists who study bird populations and conservation.
 * Citizen Science and eBird**

Birds are distinguished by a unique combination of features that together make them different than all other animals. They come in many sizes, colors and shapes, but all are endothermic (warm blooded), lay eggs, have feathers, hollow bones and a beak. Flight is not a characteristic unique to birds as bats can also fly, and not all birds can fly!
 * What Makes a Bird a Bird?**

Sexual Dimorphism is the difference in appearance of a male and female bird of the same species. It can be a variation in size, color, body structure or any combination of these traits**.** In many bird species that are sexually dimorphic, but not all, females tend to be larger and males are usually more colorful or have more intricate plumage displays.
 * Sexual Dimorphism in Birds**