1. Habitat Presentation Cardinal’s Bird Nest John Smith Mr. Granger 3 rd block 8/16/13

3. GPS Standard  SEV3: Students will describe stability and change in ecosystems.  d: Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence populations.  What this means: We will be able to identify how every habitat is affect by both biotic and abiotic factors.

4. Definitions  Habitat: where an organisms lives  Biotic: the living factors and once living factors that affect an ecosystem.  Abiotic: the non-living parts of an ecosystem.

5. The habitat  A cardinal’s birds nest is built in shrubs or trees. They look for densely covered areas to be able to hide their nest.  Nests can be found in: forest edges, overgrown fields, backyards, re-growing forest, and ornamental landscaping  They can use any of these trees to built a nest: Dogwood, spruce, pines, elms, maples

6. Abiotic factors  1.Windows  Cardinals will fight with their reflection.  2. Temperature  Cardinals will nest in early April to late May  3. Water  Essential for all living things  4. Pesticides  Kill an alarming number of birds every year. (approx. 10% of all bird populations)

8. Biotic factors  1. Food  Cardinals mainly eat seeds, fruits and occasionally insects. There needs to be ample food available for the babies.  2. Cowbirds  Cowbirds are a parasite to the cardinals  3. Predators  Owls, hawks, snakes, Raccoon, and Red Fox  4. Competition with Other Species  Males are very territorial and defend their territories aggressively.

10. References  The Cornell lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/lifehist ory#at_nesting http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/lifehist ory#at_nesting http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/lifehist ory#at_nesting  Wild bird watching: http://www.wild-bird- watching.com/Cardinal.html#sthash.GSivlqWh.dpbs http://www.wild-bird- watching.com/Cardinal.html#sthash.GSivlqWh.dpbshttp://www.wild-bird- watching.com/Cardinal.html#sthash.GSivlqWh.dpbs  Smithsonian: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/de fault.cfm?fxsht=8 http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/de fault.cfm?fxsht=8 http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/de fault.cfm?fxsht=8  Wild birds Unlimited: http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-do-northern- cardinals-nest.html http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-do-northern- cardinals-nest.html http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-do-northern- cardinals-nest.html  Images from: debsgardens.wordpress.com