Instructions
- Read the Dossier: Review the "Evidence Locker" below to learn about common birds found in Wheeling, West Virginia.
- Decode the Calls: Match the rhythmic bird calls (onomatopoeia) to the correct feathered suspect.
- Analyze the Scene: Complete the "Feeder Strategy" logic puzzle to determine which bird visited which part of a Wheeling backyard.
- Field Sketch: Use your observation skills to complete the visual identification task.
- Challenge: Attempt the "Historical Migration" question at the end for extra investigator points.
Section 1: The Evidence Locker (Bird Call Decoder)
In Wheeling, birds are everywhere—from the banks of the Ohio River to the woods of Oglebay. To be a top detective, you must identify them by sound. Use the Call Description to identify the Suspect Bird from the Word Bank.
Word Bank: Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Blue Jay, American Goldfinch, Mourning Dove
| Bird Call Clue (Onomatopoeia) | Clue Description | Suspect Bird |
|---|---|---|
| “Cheerily, cheer-up, cheerily!” | A rising and falling melody, often heard at dawn. | American Robin (Example) |
| “Birdie, birdie, birdie!” | A loud, clear whistle; the WV State Bird. | |
| “Jay! Jay! Jay!” | A harsh, screaming call that sounds like an alarm. | |
| “Po-ta-to-chip!” | A bouncy call made while flying in a wavy pattern. | |
| “Coo-OOO-oo-oo-oo.” | A sad, low-pitched whistling or mourning sound. |
Section 2: The Feeder Strategy (Logic Puzzle)
Three birds visited a backyard near Heritage Port this morning: a Cardinal, a Goldfinch, and a Blue Jay. Each bird landed in a different spot and ate a different snack. Use the clues to solve the puzzle!
The Clues:
- The Cardinal did not land on the fence.
- The bird that ate Suet landed on the Oak Tree branch.
- The Blue Jay landed on the fence but did not eat Sunflower Seeds.
- The Goldfinch loves Sunflower Seeds.
| Bird Suspect | Location | Snack Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal | 1. | 2. |
| Goldfinch | 3. | 4. |
| Blue Jay | 5. | 6. |
Section 3: Visual Identification (The Artist's Eye)
Birds are masters of camouflage. Use your pencil to quickly sketch the beak shape that matches the diet described. (No long writing—just a quick drawing!)
-
The Nutcracker: Short, thick, and cone-shaped (for cracking seeds). [Draw here]:
-
The Tweezers: Long, thin, and pointed (for picking insects out of tree bark). [Draw here]:
Section 4: The Wheeling Social Studies Connection
Wheeling is located along the Ohio River, which acts as a "highway" for migrating birds. Why would a bird prefer to fly along a river rather than over a mountain range or a city center? Circle the most logical strategic reason:
- A. Rivers provide a constant source of water and insects (food).
- B. Birds like to look at their reflection in the water.
- C. The water makes the air colder, which makes them fly faster.
Section 5: The Master Detective Challenge (Optional)
In the 1800s, John James Audubon traveled through the Ohio Valley. He was shocked by the "clouds" of Passenger Pigeons that blocked out the sun in Wheeling for days. Today, these birds are extinct.
Strategy Question: If you were a scientist trying to bring a bird species back to West Virginia, what is the one most important thing you would need to provide in their habitat to ensure they don't disappear again?
Your Answer: __
Answer Key
Section 1: Bird Call Decoder
- Northern Cardinal
- Blue Jay
- American Goldfinch
- Mourning Dove
Section 2: Feeder Strategy
- Cardinal: Oak Tree / Suet
- Goldfinch: [Any remaining spot - likely Ground/Bush] / Sunflower Seeds
- Blue Jay: Fence / [Remaining food - likely Corn/Peanuts] (Note: Based on clues, Cardinal = Oak/Suet, Goldfinch = Sunflower, Blue Jay = Fence)
Section 3: Visual Identification
- Nutcracker: Short, stout triangle (like a Cardinal beak).
- Tweezers: Long, thin needle shape (like a Woodpecker or Warbler beak).
Section 4: Social Studies
- A. Rivers provide water and food sources.
Section 5: Challenge
- Acceptable answers: Protected habitat, reliable food source, banning of hunting/poaching, or clean water.