 Bird Study
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Bird Study merit badge are: 2, 5, 7, 8, 9
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Bird Study Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: Please bring the field notebook that you prepared
for requirements 5 and 7 to go over with the
Counselor. |
1. |
Explain the need for bird study and why birds are
useful indicators of the quality of the
environment. Describe how birds are part of the
ecosystem. |
2. |
Show that you are familiar with the terms used to
describe birds by sketching or tracing a perched
bird and then labeling 15 different parts of the
bird. Sketch or trace an extended wing and label
six types of wing feathers. |
3. |
Demonstrate that you know how to properly use and
care for binoculars, a spotting scope, or a
monocular. |
| a. |
Explain what the specification numbers mean on
binoculars, a spotting scope, or a monocular. |
| b. |
Show how to adjust the eyepiece and how to focus
for proper viewing. |
| c. |
Show how to properly care for and clean the
lenses. |
| d. |
Describe when and where each type of viewing
device would be most effective. |
4. |
Demonstrate that you know how to use a bird
field guide. Show your counselor that you are
able to understand a range map by locating in
the book and pointing out the wintering range,
the breeding range, and/or the year-round
range of one species of each of the following
types of birds:
(a) Seabird
(b) Plover
(c) Falcon or hawk
(d) Warbler or vireo
(e) Heron or egret
(f) Sparrow
(g)
Nonnative bird (introduced to North America
from a foreign country since 1800) |
5. |
Observe and be able to identify at least 20
species of wild birds. Prepare a field notebook,
making a separate entry for each species, and
record the following information from your field
observations and other references.
(a) Note
the date and time.
(b) Note the location and
habitat.
(c) Describe the bird’s main
feeding habitat and list two types of food that
the bird is likely to eat.
(d) Note whether
the bird is a migrant or a summer, winter, or
year-round resident of your area. |
6. |
Describe to your counselor how certain orders of
birds are uniquely adapted to a specific
habitat. In your description, include
characteristics such as the size and shape of
the following:
(a) Beak
(b) Body
(c)
Leg and foot
(d) Feathers/plumage |
7. |
Explain the function of a bird’s song. Be able
to identify five of the 20 species in your field
notebook by song or call alone. For each of
these five species, enter a description of the
song or call, and note the behavior of the bird
making the sound. Note why you think the bird
was making the call or song that you heard. |
8. |
Do ONE of the following: |
| a. |
Go on a field trip with a local club or with
others who are knowledgeable about birds in your
area.
(1) Keep a list or fill out a
checklist of all the birds your group observed
during the field trip.
(2) Tell your
counselor which birds your group saw and why
some species were common and some were present
in small numbers.
(3) Tell your counselor
what makes the area you visited good for finding
birds. |
| b. |
By using a public library, the internet, or
contacting the National Audubon Society, find
the name and location of the Christmas Bird
Count nearest your home and obtain the results
of a recent count.
(1) Explain what kinds of
information are collected during the annual
event.
(2) Tell your counselor which species
are most common, and explain why these birds are
abundant.
(3) Tell your counselor which
species are uncommon, and explain why these were
present in small numbers. If the number of birds
of these species is decreasing, explain why, and
what, if anything, could be done to reverse
their decline. |
9. |
Do ONE of the following. For the option you
choose, describe what birds you hope to attract,
and why. |
| a. |
Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate
place in your yard or another location. |
| b. |
Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate
place. |
| c. |
Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting
trees and shrubs for food and cover. |
| a. |
Explain the differences between extinct,
endangered, and threatened. |
| b. |
Identify a bird species that is on the endangered
or threatened list. Explain what caused their
decline. Discuss with your counselor what can be
done to reverse this trend and what can be done to
help remove the species from the endangered or
threatened list. |
11. |
Identify three career opportunities connected to
the study of birds. Pick one and find out the
education, training, and experience required for
this profession. Discuss with your counselor if
this profession might interest you. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2025"
Download the workbook for the
Bird Study Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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