Gather a ruler or tape measure to measure your wingspan.

Stand with your arms extended out to the sides in the shape of a “T”. Make sure your fingers are fully extended.

Using the ruler or tape measure, measure the distance from the tip of one finger, across your body, to the tip of the other finger. This is your wingspan!

Research and compare your wingspan to the wingspans of different native Texas birds: Whooping Crane: 7.5 ft (2.3 m) Bald Eagle: 7 ft (2.1 m) Great Blue Heron: 6.5 ft (2 m) Turkey Vulture: 6 ft (1.8 m) Red-tailed Hawk: 4.5 ft (1.4 m) Wandering Albatross: up to 12 ft (3.6 m)

Go outside and find a natural object (like a stick, branch, or leaf) that’s about the same length as your wingspan.

Think about why birds might need large wingspans. What about birds with smaller wingspans? Consider how these wings help them survive in their habitats.

Pick your favorite bird and research its wingspan. Does it have a large or small wingspan? Why might this be helpful for its lifestyle? How does your wingspan compare to your favorite bird’s wingspan? Is it larger or smaller?

After completing your wingspan activity and reflecting on your findings, share your results and earn your badge for exploring the science behind bird adaptations!