Bird Study

Bird Study merit badge requirements

1. Explain the need for bird study and why birds are useful indicators of the quality of the environment.
2. Show that you are familiar with the terms used to describe birds by sketching or tracing a perched bird and then labeling 15 different parts of the bird. Sketch or trace an extended wing and label six types of wing feathers.
3. Demonstrate that you know how to properly use and care for binoculars.

   a. Explain what the specification numbers on the binoculars mean.

   b. Show how to adjust the eyepiece and how to focus for proper viewing.

   c. Show how to properly care for and clean the lenses.

4. Demonstrate that you know how to use a bird field guide. Show your counselor that you are able to understand a range map by locating in the book and pointing out the wintering range, the breeding range, and/or the year-round range of one species of each of the following types of birds:

   a. Seabird

   b. Plover

   c. Falcon or hawk

   d. Warbler or vireo

   e. Heron or egret

   f. Sparrow

   g. Nonnative bird (introduced to North America from a foreign country since 1800)

5. Observe and be able to identify at least 20 species of wild birds. Prepare a field notebook, making a separate entry for each species, and record the following information from your field observations and other references.

   a. Note the date and time.

   b. Note the location and habitat.

   c. Describe the bird's main feeding habitat and list two types of food that the bird is likely to eat.

   d. Note whether the bird is a migrant or a summer, winter, or year-round resident of your area.

6. Explain the function of a bird's song. Be able to identify five of the 20 species in your field notebook by song or call alone. For each of these five species enter a description of the song or call, and note the behavior of the bird making the sound. Note why you think the bird was making the call or song that you heard.
7. Do ONE of the following:

   a. Go on a field trip with a local club or with others who are knowledgeable about birds in your area.

   1. Keep a list or fill out a checklist of all the birds your group observed during the field trip.

   2. Tell your counselor which birds your group saw and why some species were common and some were present in small numbers.

   3. Tell your counselor what makes the area you visited good for finding birds.

   b. By using a public library, the Internet, or contacting the National Audubon Society, find the name and location of the Christmas Bird Count nearest your home and obtain the results of a recent count.

   1. Explain what kinds of information are collected during the annual event.

   2. Tell your counselor which species are most common, and explain why these birds are abundant.

   3. Tell your counselor which species are uncommon, and explain why these were present in small numbers. If the number of birds of these species is decreasing, explain why, and what, if anything, could be done to reverse their decline.

8. Do ONE of the following. For the option you choose, describe what birds you hope to attract, and why.

   a. Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate place in your yard or another location.

   b. Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate place.

   c. Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting trees and shrubs for food and cover.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2014 Edition (BSA Supply No. 33216 - SKU# 619576)

A FREE workbook for Bird Study is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Bird Study requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Bird Study - Environmental Science - Fish and Wildlife Management - Forestry - Gardening - Geology - Insect Study - Mammal Study - Nature - Oceanography - Plant Science - Reptile and Amphibian Study - Soil and Water Conservation - Sustainability
• Boy Scout awards: Conservation Good Turn Award - Leave No Trace Award - William T. Hornaday award - World Conservation Award
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Ecology - Plants and Wildlife; Awards: Conservation Good Turn Award - Leave No Trace Award - William T. Hornaday award - World Conservation Award
• Webelos Activity Badges: Forester - Naturalist - Outdoorsman
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Geology - Weather - Wildlife Conservation
• Cub Scout awards: Conservation Good Turn Award - Leave No Trace Award - World Conservation Award

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)