Play the bird songs below and describe them in the box beside the bird’s photo.
When describing their songs, don’t just consider speed, pitch, patterns, rhythm, and volume. Try to describe them using similar sounds that you have heard before.
Example: The Riroriro/Grey warbler songs wobble on and off notes quickly, like a squeaky wheel about to fall off.
Printable Activity Sheet HERE.
Songs:
Pūtangitangi/Paradise shelduck
Riroriro/Grey warbler
Korimako/Bellbird
Pūkeko/Swamphen
Pīwakawaka/Fantail
Tauhou/Silvereye/Waxeye
Makipai/Magpie
Kuihi/Canada goose
Manu pango/Blackbird
Manu-kai-hua-rakau/Song thrush
Tāringi/Starling
Tīu/Sparrow
Use our bird cards as a larger group activity.
Learners can write a description of each bird's song on the back of the corresponding card (if laminated, leave the backs blank and use whiteboard markers).
Play the songs again in a random order, challenging learners to identify which bird is singing using only their descriptions.
