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As you're strolling around nature spots around town - at a safe distance from everyone else - you might notice birds, ducks and geese soaking up the springtime sun. Do you know the physical differences between feathers on landbirds and waterfowl? Guide your little scientist through this floating feather lesson to discover animal adaptations!

1. Give each student 2 feathers (construction paper). Explain: One feather (A) represents the feather of non-water birds and the other will represent the feather (B) of the ducks in the pond.
2. Have each student paint feather B with vegetable oil.
3. Have students use a pipette/spray bottle/fingers to drop/spray/drip a few drops of water on feather A and discuss the observations.
4. Have students use a pipette/spray bottle/fingers to drop/spray/drip a few drops of water on feather B and discuss their observations.
5. Explain: We just simulated one adaptation that allows ducks and some other birds float. Waterfowl have feathers that produce an oily substance that repel water.

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