February is Bird Month for Kids

February is Bird Month in Kansas City. Check out the variety of events & activities for kids and families:

15th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

A great activity that everyone can participate in is the Great Backyard Bird Count.

It’s FREE, fun and easy to do.

Download a list of local birds that you might see,
Count as little as 15 minutes with your kids, and do it right in your own backyard or local park,
Submit your tally online

For pictures of local birds, check the guides for Kansas and Missouri from Birdzilla.

Ideas for backyard bird feeders you can make from recycled items at HGTV.
Learn what types of food different birds eat so you can feed them in your backyard.

Feb. 17^th & 18^th – kids can help count birds, do a bird craft and play a bird game. Family event with Reservations required.
Feb. 18^th & 21^st– teens (ages 12 +) can visit different habitats from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Sanctuary to identify birds. Registration required/$5 per person.

Feb. 18^th – FREE event for families to learn about birds who live in the area and assist with the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Feb. 29^th – Preschool Program: Owls (9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) Kids will hear “Owl Moon”, hear owl calls and see live owls. Registration required for ages 4 – 5. $14 per person.
Feb. 26^th – Birds of Prey Program (2 p.m. – 3 p.m.) for families. Particiipants will see live birds up close and learn about raptors. $2.75 per person.

Feb. 17^th – Participate in the Great Backyard Bird count at 11:30 a.m. at the Truman Home.

Feb. 18^th – Mother Nature Reads program will feature the story “Little Hoot” about an owl who wants to go to bed early. After the story, visit the library for a great view of the birds outside!

Feb. 17^th & 18^th – Great Backyard Bird count will be held onsite from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 19^th – Bird in the Hand program – free program from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. where you can get an up close look at songbirds as volunteers capture, band and release them.

Feb. 11^th – Bird in the Hand program lets participants get an up close look at songbirds and release them back into the wild once banded.
Feb. 18^th – Make a Recycled Bird Feeder (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) Registration required/$5 per person.

Feb. 18^th – Hosting their National Geographic Little Explorers event that focuses on Birds. Kids can do hands-on activities, sing songs and and receive a badge.

If you want to venture beyond your backyard, here are some wonderful places to go view birds:

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Mound City, MO) – here’s a list of some types of birds that you might see during the year.
Smithville Lake (Smithville, MO) – in a rare occurance, snowy owls have visited Kansas City. If you’re lucky, you might get a glimpse of one.