Learn about Bluebirds Project

The bluebird chicks are altricial. This means they cannot move around on their own upon hatching. They have only a few feathers. They stay in the nest and the parent(s) feed them. Both parents care for their young. The bluebird chicks leave the nest in about 15-18 days.

Precocial chicks are capable of moving almost right away. They leave the nest quickly after hatching. They are covered with a fluffy down. Bobwhite Quail chicks and wood duck ducklings are examples of birds that leave the nest soon after birth.

1. Explore Examples: Underline the correct word.

House wrens are precocial or altricial.

Chickens are precocial or altricial.

Give another example of:

Altricial chicks -

Precocial chicks -

2. How does this compare with mammal newborns?

3. Outside of your bedroom window, a robin has nested in the rhododendron bush. You can see everything and check it each day. One morning you hear peeping.

Make a prediction. If you hear peeping, what do you think you will see?

Check out the photo.

Based on what you have learned about altricial and precocial, this chick is:

4. A teacher tells your mom you are precocious. What does that mean?

Dictionary resource

Worksheet doc.

Other potential nest box inhabitants:

Tree Swallow / English Sparrow / Wren / Nuthatch / Tufted Titmouse / Chickadee / Bluebirds

BirdSleuth: Investigating Evidence - free materials from Cornell University

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