Learn about the birds of Michigan with this family-friendly guide that spotlights 70 species. Share the fun of birdwatching with the whole family! Wild About Michigan Birds introduces 70 birds of the Great Lake State. You’ll get identification tips and information on each species’ favorite foods, interesting behaviors, songs and calls, life cycle, migration patterns, and more. The book is organized by habitat and divided into four sections: coniferous forests, deciduous forests, prairies, and water areas. Within each section, entries for the birds that live there are arranged from smallest to largest. With information by Adele Porter, an award-winning author and science educator, you’ll get to know the bird basics. Plus, you’ll learn tips on birding, such as how to watch birds, when to watch them, and where to do it. Entries about a variety of species—including the American Goldfinch, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Wild Turkey, and more—are supplemented by activity ideas that include journaling, taking photographs, visiting nature centers, and going birding! Book Features: Fun, engaging pages that entertain kids and adults - Easy-to-use format with birds arranged by habitat and size - Large photographs for simple bird identification - Fun facts and exercises for kids, like “Gross Factor” and “Do the Math” For family-friendly activities and classroom learning, this book is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the outdoors. You’ll reach for Wild About Michigan Birds again and again. Adele Porter is an award-winning author and science educator. She is a member of the National Science Teachers' Association, the American Ornithologists' Union, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Adele is a native of Minnesota. Feathers When dinosaurs roamed the Earth there also live a prehistoric, crow-sized animal with feathers; scientists believe it was related to reptiles, and have named it Archaeopteryx (ar-kay-op-tehr-icks) from its fossil remains. Archaeopteryx is one of the first known bird species. Today, birds still have characteristics of their distant relatives. Reptiles have scales of solid keratin. Bird feathers are also formed of keratin, but in strands, which are much lighter. Birds are the only animals on Earth with feathers! Feathers help a bird fly, stay warm and dry, and protect their skin. Feathers allow birds to swim through the water and fly through the air with less friction (which makes these jobs much easier). For some birds, such as owls, feathers quiet the sound of their flight. Feathers can be camouflaged, to help a bird hide from predators, or occur in bright colors to show off during courtship. Whew―feathers do a lot for birds! Mallard What do birds do when their feathers start to get old? They molt (or shed) the old ones and replace them with new feathers one or two times a year. To keep their balance in flight, the feathers are shed a few at a time and in the same place on each side of the body. Have you noticed the "goose bumps" on the skin of a chicken from the grocery store? The bumps, called papillae, are where feathers grow out of the skin. At the bottom of each of the papillae are ligaments (similar to muscles) that the bird uses to move each feather on its own, an important function when it needs to turn in flight or slow down! Northern Cardinal Did You Know? In herons, the middle foot claw has a comb-like serrated (jagged) edge used as a preening tool. This is called a pectate claw or feather comb. Herons use this claw to keep their feathers in top condition.