BATTLE OF THE BEAKS

A natural selection lab

By Science Lessons That Rock

© 2015 Science Lessons That Rock

Battle of the Beaks Name:
Period:
Date:

Objective: Understand that animals that are better adapted to take advantage of available
foods will fare better than those who are less adapted, and thus live to pass on their genes
to the next generation.

Materials:
Beak types: clothespin, fork, tweezers, binder clips
Food types: paper clips, macaroni, rubber bands, toothpicks
Cups, stopwatch

Part 1 Procedures:
1. Within your group of 4, select your beak type (clothespin, fork, tweezer, or binder clip)
2. Each student also needs a cup, which represents the bird’s stomach. The cup must
remain upright at all times. You must hold the beak in one hand and the stomach
in the other. You can only place food in your stomach with your beak. You may
only grab one piece of food at a time. Cheaters will be eliminated!
3. A certain type of food will be placed within your feeding area. You will have 30
seconds to collect as much food as you can.
4. Once the teacher says stop, you need to empty out your stomach, count the
contents, and record it in table 1.
5. We will repeat the activity with multiple food types. Copy your group member’s
data down as well, and then answer the questions.

Table 1:
Pinto Beans Macaroni Rubber Bands Toothpicks
Clothespin
Fork
Tweezers
Binder Clip

Part 1 Questions:
1. What did you notice about your feeding abilities? (What were you good at?)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. What would happen if there was a drought and all the rubber bands died off?
What would happen to the bird population?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. What did you notice about your behavior and the behavior of others?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
© 2015 Science Lessons That Rock
Part 2 Procedures:
1. Most habitats have more than one kind of food available. This round you will
have different types of food to choose from.
2. Spread all of the materials into the feeding circle. You will have 1 minute to feed.
Once the teacher says stop, you need to empty out your stomach, count the
contents, and record it in table 2. Remember, only one piece of food at a time!
3. Copy your group member’s data down as well, and then answer the questions.

Table 2:
Pinto Beans Macaroni Rubber Bands Toothpicks
Clothespin
Fork
Tweezers
Binder Clip

Part 2 Questions:
1. What was your strategy for collecting food this round?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. Was there another beak type that was competing for the same food source as you?
If so, who?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. Which beak collected the most food? Which beak collected the least food? We
can assume the birds that collected the most food will survive and reproduce, and
the birds that collected the least amount of food will die. What will the next
generation of birds look like?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. What would happen if all the bird types we have been working with flew to an
island where no birds had been before, and the only type of food available was
toothpicks? Which bird beak type would me the most successful? Which bird
beak type would be the least successful? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

© 2015 Science Lessons That Rock

Class Data: (Use data from part 2)
Pinto Beans Macaroni Rubber Bands Toothpicks
Clothespin
Fork
Tweezers
Binder Clip

Class Bar Graph:

© 2015 Science Lessons That Rock

Teacher Notes:
 There are many different versions of this lab for free available on the internet. I
combined bits and pieces of different labs and made one that worked for me. This
lab has been left editable so you can change the food types or beak types based on
whatever you have on hand. Other food options: paperclips or rice. Other beak
options: scissors, spoon, or even chopsticks! Check the dollar store for materials.
 Remember, part 1 is tested with each individual food one at a time. For part two,
all the food is spread out at once. Competition is encouraged, but no cheating.
 Class data can be compiled on the smart board or whiteboard. Here is a sample graph:

 If you would like to make this activity more realistic, you can spread the food
items out on a piece of artificial turf (if available) or take students outside and
complete the activity on grass.
 To add more competition, you can add rules such as: The bird who collects the
least amount of food in round 2 dies, and the most amount of food receives extra
credit.
 Thanks for downloading this free product! If you are satisfied with this lab, please
leave positive feedback!

Copyright ©2015 Science Lessons That Rock

All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.

© 2015 Science Lessons That Rock