We are doing a unit study on birds for the next few weeks.  To start off our study, we went to the zoo for three hours this morning, walking around the entire zoo finding all of the birds we could to observe! 

Did you know that most bird's bones are hollow?  I didn't!  I love learning right along with my children!

My hope and plan is that each day as we read, observe, listen, and learn about birds that my children will create their own notebook pages to show what they are learning.  At the end of our unit, they will have their very own "bird book." 

Here are some pictures of the birds we saw at the zoo today.  Be sure to read down to hear the story of "the friendly bird." 

The above picture is that of a Stellar's Sea Eagle.  They are a "bird of prey," my sons' favorite type of bird thus far.  We were awed as we watched this huge bird fly back and forth from one perch to another!

The above bird is an emerald dove.  We enjoyed their cooing song!

Okay...  here is the story of the "friendly bird," as my children call it!  A couple of months ago, we had gone to the zoo and walked into this small area where there are birds.  My daughter (in the picture above) was standing next to the screen looking at the birds when this little black and white bird swooped down and landed right on the screen in front of her cousin and her, scaring both of them and causing them to stumble backwards.  Once they realized it was just a little bird, they were very intrigued and sat down on a small rock next to the bird.  This little bird sat there and "talked" to my daughter for ten minutes or so!  It was so cute!  My three children and my nephew were really amused at this!

So, today, after walking for over two hours, we were all tired and walked up to this place before heading home.  My daughter immediately went over to that same rock and sat down.  Guess what?  That same bird swooped down and sat in front of her and talked away!  We sat there for 20 minutes resting our tired legs while this sweet little bird chatted with my children!  Here are a couple of close-ups of this bird.  It is a Rueppell's White-crowned Shrike:

This bird would often fly up to the screen as if it wanted to be closer to us:

We had a great day today observing all of the amazing birds that God has created!  I hope you, too, can someday have a day with the birds!