Talk to a bird expert
Contact a local bird expert, prepare questions, interview them about bird species, behavior, calls, and conservation, and record notes or drawings.
Step-by-step guide to talk to a bird expert
How to Teach Your Bird to Talk | Parrot Training Tutorial | BirdNerdSophie
Step 1
Ask a grown-up to help you find a local bird expert to contact.
Step 2
Make a short list of three experts or bird groups to choose from with your grown-up.
Step 3
Choose the best way to contact one expert by phone email or visit with your grown-up.
Step 4
Write eight simple questions about bird species behavior calls and conservation in your notebook.
Step 5
Practice asking your questions out loud once or twice so you feel confident.
Step 6
Contact the expert to set a date and time for a short interview with a grown-up's help.
Step 7
Pack your notebook pencil and colouring materials into a small bag before the interview.
Step 8
Start the interview and ask your prepared questions one by one.
Step 9
After each answer write a short note in your notebook.
Step 10
Ask the expert to demonstrate or describe a bird call.
Step 11
Write down how the bird call sounds or draw the bird that makes it in your notebook.
Step 12
Ask the expert for three simple actions kids can do to help birds and write them down.
Step 13
Thank the expert and ask permission to share your notes and drawings.
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of a paper notebook, colouring materials, or a small bag if those items are hard to find?
Use a phone or tablet notes app or voice memo to record answers, regular pencils and crayons or markers instead of colouring pencils, and a tote, backpack compartment, or zip-lock bag to pack your notebook and supplies before the interview.
What should we do if the expert doesn't respond, the interview is postponed, or the child gets too nervous during the interview?
If the expert doesn't respond or the interview is postponed, contact the next person on your short list or send your eight questions by email, and if the child is nervous have the grown-up open the interview, let the child practice one question out loud, or move the interview to a phone call instead of a visit.
How can this activity be adapted for younger children or older kids?
For younger children, cut the list to four simple questions and let them draw the bird call while a grown-up writes notes, and for older kids, write more detailed follow-up questions, ask to record the call, and turn the answers into a mini research report before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the project after the interview to make it more creative or useful?
Turn your notebook notes, the bird-call drawing or written description, and the expert's three actions into an illustrated poster, a short audio or video (with permission), or a DIY.org project page showing step-by-step ways kids can help local birds.
Watch videos on how to talk to a bird expert
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Facts about ornithology for kids
🔎 Birdwatchers often identify species by song and call — sometimes easier than by sight, especially at night.
🌱 Habitat protection and conservation programs have helped several bird species recover from the brink of extinction.
🎧 Lyrebirds can mimic natural and man-made sounds, sometimes copying dozens of noises in a single performance.
🌐 The Cornell Lab of Ornithology runs eBird, a huge citizen-science project where birders share millions of sightings each year.
🐦 There are about 10,000 bird species on Earth — that's a lot to learn from one expert!
How do I organize a child-friendly interview with a local bird expert?
What materials do I need to prepare for a bird expert interview?
What ages is a bird expert interview suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety considerations of interviewing a bird expert?
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