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       '''What is the main idea of the story?'''
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       '''What is the main reason that the birds are migrating south?'''
 
       '''Use one details from the passage to support your response.'''
 
       '''Use one details from the passage to support your response.'''
  
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<h4>Animals Play around While Humans Stay Inside</h4>
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<h4>Get out your binoculars—birds are making their annual trek north</h4>
  
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<br><br>The Coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we knew it just a few weeks ago. Millions of people worldwide are now under mandatory or voluntary lockdowns. All public attractions, including museums and aquariums, are shuttered, and the usually crowded streets of popular tourist destinations are empty. An unexpected positive point during these hard times for humans is that many of the Earth's other life forms are finally getting a chance to leave their normal habitats and roam freely.
 
  
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<br><br>The first animals to take advantage of human absence were Annie and Edward, two rockhopper penguins who reside at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. A video released on March 15, 2020, showed the couple eagerly waddling around, exploring the aquarium's various exhibits. The footage, which instantly went viral, inspired other institutions to share clips of their four-legged residents frolicking as well.
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<br><br>Daffodils, cherry blossoms and tulips aren't the only things brightening up the thawing landscape now that spring is nearly here. Spring begins March 19. Right now, dozens of species of birds have left their winter homes in the south. They are embarking on their annual journey north. It is part of spring migration. In the coming weeks, even more will spread their wings. And they will follow the same route their ancestors did.
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<br><br>The Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio joined the fun trend on March 16, 2020, with a "Home Safari" live-stream series — the first starring its adorable baby hippo, Fiona. "Let us help make your children's hiatus from school fun and educational," zoo officials announced on Facebook. "Join us for a Home Safari Facebook Live each weekday at 3 pm (Eastern Time), where we will highlight one of our amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home."
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<br><br>Spring is a particularly wonderful time for bird watching. This is according to Timothy Guida. He is a research technician at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. He spoke with Smithsonian.com.
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<br><br>Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and the Monterey Aquarium have kept their webcams rolling, allowing fans to enjoy colorful jellyfishes, lovable sleeping koalas, and vibrant coral reef habitats without leaving home.
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<br><br>Animals in the wild are also flourishing as humans stay indoors. The absence of cruise ships is bringing large numbers of dolphins to the Italian port of Cagliari, while flocks of wild turkeys are happily roaming the streets of Oakland, California. In San Felipe, Panama, a group of raccoons have frequently been seen testing their surfing skills at the area's beautiful beaches.
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<br><br>"During the spring, the males have on their beautiful plumage to attract mates," he says. "So you'll see birds at their most vibrant."
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<br><br>Though the animals indeed appear to be having a good time, the heartwarming videos and images shared on social media, are also bringing much-needed cheer to millions of humans worldwide.
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<br><br>Another bonus to spring migration is that it occurs as a mass movement. It takes place over a shorter timeframe than its fall counterpart. That is because birds are anxious to reach their breeding grounds and begin mating.
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<br><br>"During the fall, the timespan for migration is much broader, since birds typically start leaving once the temperature drops and there's a lack of food," says Guida. "But in the spring, you'll see more of a blitz over the span of several weeks. Timing is more imperative for birds to begin reproducing and raising young."
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<br><br>Birds already on their epic odyssey include pectoral sandpipers, great egrets, ospreys, western kingbirds, scissor-tailed flycatchers and brown thrashers. This is according to a report published by BirdCast. It is a subsection of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. And birds aren't the only species in migration mode. Monarch butterflies are also leaving their winter homes for the north.  
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<br><br>With all the diversity to be seen among spring migrators, you might worry about how to make the most of your bird watching outing.
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<br><br>"My advice is to not stress out by trying to see everything at once. But instead, focus on one or two species and see if you can identify them," Guida says. "I think people know more about birds than they realize. By comparing the birds you're seeing to the ones you already know, you can start piecing everything together by color or size and develop birding skills that way."

Revision as of 00:21, 8 April 2020

Hello Students, read the below article then on your own webpage on www.goodtoknow.com, write a short constructed response using "R-A-C-E-" as instructed in class.


      What is the main reason that the birds are migrating south?
      Use one details from the passage to support your response.

Get out your binoculars—birds are making their annual trek north




Daffodils, cherry blossoms and tulips aren't the only things brightening up the thawing landscape now that spring is nearly here. Spring begins March 19. Right now, dozens of species of birds have left their winter homes in the south. They are embarking on their annual journey north. It is part of spring migration. In the coming weeks, even more will spread their wings. And they will follow the same route their ancestors did.



Spring is a particularly wonderful time for bird watching. This is according to Timothy Guida. He is a research technician at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. He spoke with Smithsonian.com.



"During the spring, the males have on their beautiful plumage to attract mates," he says. "So you'll see birds at their most vibrant."



Another bonus to spring migration is that it occurs as a mass movement. It takes place over a shorter timeframe than its fall counterpart. That is because birds are anxious to reach their breeding grounds and begin mating.



"During the fall, the timespan for migration is much broader, since birds typically start leaving once the temperature drops and there's a lack of food," says Guida. "But in the spring, you'll see more of a blitz over the span of several weeks. Timing is more imperative for birds to begin reproducing and raising young."



Birds already on their epic odyssey include pectoral sandpipers, great egrets, ospreys, western kingbirds, scissor-tailed flycatchers and brown thrashers. This is according to a report published by BirdCast. It is a subsection of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. And birds aren't the only species in migration mode. Monarch butterflies are also leaving their winter homes for the north.



With all the diversity to be seen among spring migrators, you might worry about how to make the most of your bird watching outing.



"My advice is to not stress out by trying to see everything at once. But instead, focus on one or two species and see if you can identify them," Guida says. "I think people know more about birds than they realize. By comparing the birds you're seeing to the ones you already know, you can start piecing everything together by color or size and develop birding skills that way."