Bird Study Merit Badge Resources

 

Are you going on the Sea Base high adventure Florida Keys, Bahamas, St. Thomas sailing, snorkeling trip and thinking, I'll bet I could do most of the requirements for the Bird Study Merit Badge?  You are RIGHT!  Especially if you will be camping on an island, like Big Munson Island, or while you are on land or near land. Here's what you could get learn about and - possibly - get signed off on the Bird Study Merit Badge, if your counselor is present!

Be sure to get your Blue Card and a counselor assigned BEFORE you leave for Sea Base! Then document completion of anything you do on the trip.  Be prepared to show your counselor photos, if he or she is not there with you, whenever possible, to demonstrate you competency and completion  of requirements.

Note - we are NOT affiliated with BSA or Sea Base, just scouts and scouters trying to help other scouts and scouters!

Bird Study Merit Badge

You can find and print to bring with you,

• Bird Study Merit badge on Scouting.org
• the full, free PDF of the Bird Study Merit Badge pamphlet here.  and
• the Bird Study Merit Badge workbook here.

The requirements below include some you will likely be doing or could do at Sea Base, so that makes it a merit badge to work on at Sea Base.

✅ Bird Study Requirements you can likely complete at Sea Base

Below is a summary and checklist. The highlighted requirements could be done during Sea Base. See the pamphlet or workbook above for details. Learn, during the trip, about those you must later explain to you counselor.

The captain of your boat may know about many of these things and be willing to explain them to you. 

⚠ Remaining requirements (less likely or need extra work - do before or after Sea Base)

These are usually discussion-based and may need a counselor session, such as any that say explain or describe.  BUT you can DO others BEFORE you go, and LEARN enough during Sea Base about these to do them when get home. So, which requirements you can complete will likely depend upon what counselors and are present on your boat or with your group or crew as well as what their background and experience is.  Be sure to document anything you discuss with them and learn from them so that you can clearly explain it to your assigned merit badge counselor when you return

🐦 Bird Study Merit Badge Checklist

Req	Description	Done	Initials
1	Explain why bird study is important and how birds indicate environmental quality and ecosystem health
2a	Sketch or trace a perched bird and label 15 bird parts
2b	Sketch or trace an extended wing and label six types of wing feathers
3a	Explain binocular, spotting scope, or monocular specification numbers
3b	Show how to adjust eyepiece and focus viewing equipment properly
3c	Show proper care and cleaning of lenses
3d	Describe when and where binoculars, scopes, or monoculars are most effective
4a	Use field guide and range map for a seabird species
4b	Use field guide and range map for a plover species
4c	Use field guide and range map for a falcon or hawk species
4d	Use field guide and range map for a warbler or vireo species
4e	Use field guide and range map for a heron or egret species
4f	Use field guide and range map for a sparrow species
5a	Observe and identify 20 wild bird species; record date and time
5b	Record location and habitat for each bird observed
5c	Describe feeding habitat and two likely food sources for each species
5d	Record migrant or seasonal residency status for each species
6a	Describe habitat adaptations related to bird beaks
6b	Describe habitat adaptations related to bird bodies
6c	Describe habitat adaptations related to bird legs and feet
6d	Describe habitat adaptations related to feathers and plumage
7	Explain bird songs and calls; identify five species by sound and record observations
8a1	Field trip: keep checklist or list of observed birds
8a2	Discuss common and uncommon birds observed during field trip
8a3	Explain why the area visited was good for bird observation
8b1–3	Christmas Bird Count research and discussion requirements
8c1–4	Bird banding program participation and discussion requirements
9a	Build and place a bird feeder
9b	Build and place a birdbath
9c	Create backyard bird sanctuary with plantings for food and cover
9d	Build nest box for approved bird species
9e	Design and draw backyard bird habitat plan
10a	Explain extinct, endangered, and threatened classifications
10b	Discuss endangered or threatened bird species and conservation efforts
10c	Explain conservation strategies for declining and migratory birds
11	Identify a non-native bird species and explain ecosystem impacts - look for parrots!
12	Discuss Leave No Trace and Outdoor Code as related to bird study
13a	Research bird study career opportunities and requirements
13b	Research bird study as a hobby and discuss goals and opportunities