EXERCISE 3

BIRD BEAK BUFFET ADAPTATION

(Prepared by Jaycee Augusto G. Paguirigan and Melanie M. Arbias)

Introduction:

Inspired by observations of finches on the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin came up

with an idea that is perhaps the most influential idea in all of science - natural selection. In this
classic activity, students learn about natural selection by becoming birds foraging for food on an
island (a large area of the schoolyard or classroom). The prey (beans) vary in their coloration such
that some blend into the environment better than others. The birds vary in the type of beak they
have (plastic forks, spoons and knives). Each season, any prey that survives has a baby bean the
same color as the parent. In addition, the most successful birds has a baby with the same beak trait
while the least successful birds die (and are reincarnated as the babies of the successful birds).
Over several generations, the bird and bean populations shift depending on the environment. Well
camouflaged beans survive and reproduce. Birds with beaks that can easily capture beans survive
and reproduce. In this way, students model natural selection in 2 species and get a very good idea
of how natural selection works.

Darwin was amazed by the variation in the characteristics of plants and animals he
encountered on his journey. In any habitat, food is limited and the types of foods available may
vary. Animals that have variations that enable them to take advantage of available foods will be
more likely to survive. We call beneficial inherited variations adaptations. Adaptations are
inherited characteristics that increase an organism’s chance of survival. Those with the most
helpful adaptations will be the most likely to live long enough to pass on their genes to the next
generation. This process ensures that beneficial adaptations will continue in future generations,
while disadvantageous characteristics will not.

Objective

1. To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of variations, by simulating birds with
different types of beaks competing for various foods.
2. To explain what natural selection is and the conditions necessary for it to occur.
3. To discuss changes in a population in the context of natural selection.
4. To use terms such as natural selection, evolution, and adaptation scientifically.
5. To organize data in a table and graph.
6. To graph changes in a population over time.

Materials

Part 1
scissors, chop sticks, tweezers, large binder clip
1 cup dried macaroni,
1 cup mung beans
1 cup pinto beans
5 plastic cups
trays

Procedure:
1. Each member of the group should bring/have one of the following materials: chopsticks,
tweezers, binder clip, or pair of scissors. Each student will also get a plastic cup.

2. Each student will pretend that they are a specific bird. The tool they have selected is their
“beak”. That is the only tool that they will utilize to pick up food on top of the table.

3. The cup will serve as their stomach. It must remain upright at all times. They must hold
their beak in one hand, and their stomach in their other hand, close to their body. Only
food that is placed in the cup by the beak has been “eaten”.

4. Food items will be placed in their “habitat” on trays on top of your group table. they will
have 1 minute to feed. Collect as much food in their stomach as possible until the time
runs out.

5. When the time ends, the students will empty their stomachs and count the contents.
Individual data will be recorded. Each group should calculate the grand total number of
food of each type that were eaten by their group. Collect the data from the class and they
will record it in the Class Data Table.

6. Prediction: Make a prediction that states which will be the best type of bird beak for the
type of food and explain why you think that. (Food types: macaroni and beans).

Food Type Best Bird Beak Type for Food Type

Mung beans
Macaroni
Pinto beans

7. While the students are entering food population data, the rest of the students should put
back the food on top of the table.

8. Finally, the students who ate the fewest beans in the class will be eliminated. (the
elimination will help the students realize that they are actually dying and entering the game
as a new bird with new traits, not just trading in one tool for another.) Their utensils will
be confiscated. However, new beaks that match the beaks of the 5 students that ate the most
food will be given to them.

9. The students will enter this information (the number of birds that died and number of babies
born) on the bird population data clipboards.

Number of birds/ Year

 Types of Beaks Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Scissors
Chop sticks
Tweezers
Large binder clip

10. Repeat steps 4-5 for each of the next 4 years of the game for a total of 5 rounds.

11. Collect the cups and utensils. Sweep up any remaining beans.

12. Analyze the class data table and make necessary graphs to explain the changes over time.
Have students graph the data. They may also use statistical analysis to explain the changes
in the data over the years.

Group Data Table:

Type of Beak Mung Beans Macaroni Pinto Beans Total Food

Scissors
Chop sticks
Tweezers
Large binder clip
TOTAL

Class Data:

Group Number Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
 M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB
MB
M
PB

Materials

Part 2
binoculars
camera

Procedure

Bird Watching and Photography

1. Search and observe the behavior and interactions of at least 5 bird species inside the UST
Campus. Assign “spotters”, members who will keenly observe movement of leaves of the
trees, and hopefully see birds perched on branches or walking on the grounds. Remember
not to make noise, so you can see birds on site.
2. Use binoculars to observe their movements, behavior and interactions. Such as how they
eat fruits of trees, eat and capture worms etc.
3. Take a photo of the bird species in situ.
4. Fill out the table below.

No. Bird’s Common Picture Observed Scientific

Scientific Name on site behavior/interactions/movements Name of
Name (picture Trees
taken where
during birds
the perched to
activity
Guide Questions

Part 1

1. Which beak was best adapted to each type of food? Which beak was least adapted to each
type of food?
2. Would you change your feeding strategy if you had another opportunity to “feed?”
Explain.
3. What would happen if all of the bird types in this activity flew to an island where no birds
had been before and the only food available was macaroni? Which birds would be most
successful? Which birds would be least successful?
4. If you came back to this island (from c) in 50 years, what should you expect to see?
(What type of birds will live on the island?)
5. How does this lab simulation provide support for the theory of evolution?

Part 2

1. Compare and contrast the behavior/interactions/movements of birds inside cages and

in situ.
2. Discuss the following Bird Watching related terms.
A. Twitch
B. Lifer
C. Spark bird

References
http://people.uncw.edu/nesbitc/edn301/inquiry_lesson-samples.doc
https://www.sciencefriday.com/educational-resources/a-new-beak-evolution-lab/
 EXERCISE 2
PHYLOSTRAT:DO THE TRAITS OF ORGANISM PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR
EVOLUTION?

Year & Section: ____________ Group No. : _____________

Name: _________________________ ___________________________
_________________________ ___________________________
_________________________ ___________________________

****************************************************************************
Hypothesis:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Guide Questions
Part 1

1. Which beak was best adapted to each type of food? Which beak was least adapted to each
type of food?

2. Would you change your feeding strategy if you had another opportunity to “feed?”
Explain.
*Yes, I would change my feeding strategy if I had another opportunity to feed. The only
thing that I would change is to
Yes I would change my feeding strategy if I had another opportunity to feed, I will try to
consume more than one piece of food if allowed, and this will increase efficientcy and
allow me to gain more enrgy with less energy being lost due to multiple hunts of foods. I
will also try to consume mre of the food that is easier to consume

3. What would happen if all of the bird types in this activity flew to an island where no birds
had been before and the only food available was macaroni? Which birds would be most
successful? Which birds would be least successful?
 4. If you came back to this island (from c) in 50 years, what should you expect to see?
(What type of birds will live on the island?)

5. How does this lab simulation provide support for the theory of evolution?
*This activity goes to model natural selection, in which the birds that came from the same
ancestral species had evolved to have distinct variations such as their beaks. This change
happens because each and every individual strive to survive longer and to produce more
offspring, therefore they opt to develop traits better adapted for their environment. These traits
are then passed and become more common as generations pass until nearly all individuals have
that adaptive trait. This is observed in the last part of the activity where the birds that ate the least
“reincarnated” into the bird that ate the most, therefore providing a simplified explanation for the
theory of evolution.*

Understanding the adaptations of organisms can further lead to understanding the theory of
evolution. Populations of different organisms change over many generations. This is due to natural
selection which happens when an individual develops traits better adapted for and environment to
survive longer and produce more offsprings. These traits are passed on their offsprings and become
more common in the population as generations pass until nearly all individuals in a species have
the adaptive trait.
This lab goes to model the different types of birds who evolved from the same ancestral species
that came to form disntinct variations such as their beaks due to natural selection and evolution
and it goes to test their success of adaption in terms of feeding. The lab shows how some beak
types are better for specific food types and therefore how there characteristics can become more
common through natural selection

Part 2

1. Compare and contrast the behavior/interactions/movements of birds inside cages and

in situ.
2. Discuss the following Bird Watching related terms.
A. Twitch

B. Lifer

C. Spark bird