A Little Bit More
“I just saw a bluish bird with a really thick bill – do you know what it is?” This kind of question just doesn’t provide enough information to help with identification.
No one is saying that describing an animal is easy, but the more accurate and more complete your description can be, the easier it will be to identify it or tell someone else what you saw. This is a skill that improves with use, so give it a try.
This unit’s illustrations show a Great Blue Heron and a Belted Kingfisher – they’re quite different in some ways yet similar in others. How might you describe these to someone if you didn’t know either one and wanted to find out?
Great Blue Heron vs. Belted Kingfisher
1.Size — about 48” tall(120cm) vs. about 13” tall (33cm)
Although this is an especially important part of any description, estimating the size of an animal you’ve seen in the field is very difficult to do, even for experienced people. If you don’t have a known item that you can compare it with, that is right next to it, you’re likely to under- or overestimate its size, so be careful here.
2.Color — bluish with dark bill and legs vs. bluish with black bill and legs
Colors are not always easy to describe but one should be aware of this. There may be a special color to a bird’s plumage, its bill, its eye, even an area around the eye that will help in its identification. Snakes are often colorful and have interesting patterns on their bodies that are important to describe.
3.Behavior — wading in shallow water vs. perched on branch above stream
What the animal is doing can be an important clue. In the case of our two birds on the poster, the heron is relaxed as it stands in shallow water while the Kingfisher sits on a branch overlooking a stream – two different behavioral strategies that are typical of their species. These behaviors go a long way toward helping with their identification.
4.Habitat (where you found it) — stream bank vs. stream bank
Knowing the habitat where you find an animal is often crucial to its identification. Granted, many animals live in more than one kind of habitat but many more are generally limited to specific habitat situations such as stream, field, forest, treetop, etc.
5.Unusual Features — long skinny legs, long neck and bill vs. big head, thick bill & crest on head
Many animals have one or more characteristics that stand out and help make ID easier. Whether it’s leg length, horns, vibrant color, head tufts or whatever, these can add much to the description of an animal. The length of the necks of these two birds would be an important characteristic but in this illustration the Great Blue Heron has folded its neck back so it really doesn’t look like it has a long neck - tricky.
6.Geographic area — southern Missouri – southern Missouri
If you’re providing information to someone who doesn’t know where you saw your animal (Maine or Florida or British Columbia), they’re at a great disadvantage if they don’t know what part of the country you saw your animal in.
A clear, accurate description of an organism is essential for identification. Being able to describe an organism is NOT as easy as it may sound. However, the more you know about birds, for example, the easier it is for you to describe one you don’t know. Conversely, the less you know about birds, the harder it will be for you to come up with an adequate description. Keep in mind these key characteristics noted on this poster and they should do much to help get you started with your description.
Activities
Tell Me What It Is
Objectives: Practice Describing an item
Materials: Common Items from Home
Here’s a fun activity all can readily participate in and all can learn from.
1. Have your students bring an item to school from home. Each item needs to be one that everyone would readily recognize if they could see it (ie. pencil, egg slicer, light bulb, fork, etc.).
2. Each student should have their item in a bag or box hidden from view.
3. Have each student prepare a written description of their item based on the following list (see below). Students may want to add to this descriptive list but should not do fewer than those here.
4. Each student’s list should be posted so all can see and read.
5. Have the class try to identify the concealed item using only the descriptive list provided.
6. As each student’s item is identified, it can be uncovered for all to see whether they’re right or wrong.
Some students will be upset if the description doesn’t match the item well and they can’t guess what it is. But this is good – this will impress upon them the importance of an accurate and relevant description.
- Size (compared to some known object)
- Color
- Texture (rough, smooth, soft, fuzzy)
- Thick/Thin, Heavy/Light
- Any unusual features
- What part of the house it is usually found
Key Concepts
Identification, Structures and Functions
Questions
Do you have a question for a naturalist? Go ahead and ask!
It's easy -- just fill out this form, submit your question and you'll receive an answer shortly.
Posted by priscilla pitel on June 19, 2006 at 08:43 AM
Q: 4" approx. lenght, thin as a small root, in the garden, wiggling around but not going anywhere, found 5, color is very hard to determine due to size, but does appear to have a tiny stripe down the back and the rest appears to be a cream color. Found all if them within 4 ft of each other. I live in central Indiana. Our property abutts a large stream and we also have a pond. But the garden is 200 yards for and water but close to pasture. Maybe 40 ft. the garden area is well kept, and mowed regularly. no weeds in garden either for snake to hade in only a small strawberry patch. Also it has no identifiable head, like both ends look the same.
A: Thanks so much for the photos - really helps. Your animals are hair worms. These are intereting creatures that parasitize grasshoppers and crickets and are usually found in moist environments. These are not harmful to humans so you have no need to worry. I found a web site that has info on these organisms that should help. Take a look at www.uky.edu
Thanks for asking.
Posted by Gina VanEperen on April 22, 2006 at 10:21 PM
Q: It's approximatly 5-6" long, is blueish grey throughout body but belly is an orangish color, it is building a nest on our gutters,there are no tufts on top of the head. We are in Northern WI and there is a pond and a lake not far away and we are surrounded by forrest. What kind of bird is it? I believe it is common I just can't find it online. Can you help me? Thank you.
A: From your description it sounds like an Eastern Bluebird. They're cavity nesters that respond well to man-made houses, but are know to use vent pipes, down spouts, etc. Bluebirds have an orangish throat an chest, but their belly is white. Also they're about 6-7 inches from the tip of their bill to the tip of their tail.
See this site for a photograph and species description: www.birds.cornell.edu
You may want to check Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee to rule them out or in. Pictures of these two are at: www.baldeagleinfo.com
Let us know which bird you have!
Posted by Ellie Hyde on April 22, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Q: I just found a small (12" pencil thin) snake just inside my garage door. It was med. brown, with a red belly. Is it a northern red belly?
I live in NE Pa.
A: It does sound as though you saw a Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata). You didn't mention any marks behind its neck but also didn't say there was a ring around its neck either so it probably wasn't a Ringneck Snake. Redbelly snakes usually have a couple of spots just behind the head on the upper side of the snake. Redbelly snakes can vary a fair amount in color so this can throw you off on identification too. Nice snake! Thanks for asking.
Posted by Samy Hann on April 11, 2006 at 05:33 PM
Q: We captured a black salamander with orange spots on its head, yellow spots on body. It's grey underneath. its about 8" long. It has four toes on front feet and five on the back feet. I would like to know what kind of salamander it is and if it is poisonous.
A: Thanks for a great description. You found a Spotted Salamander. These rather large, scary salamanders are often regarded as poisonous but are totally harmless! Spotted Salamanders spend most of their time under the ground where they forage for earthworms and other invertebrates. In the spring, they leave their burrows and travel on rainy nights to the very pools where they hatched as babies. Once in these pools they breed and then quickly return to the woods and are not seen again until the next year. Since they are mostly nocturnal salamanders, they don't make very good pets so you may want to return your animal to a local woods and release it. Thanks for asking and next spring maybe you'll see "your" animal again.
Posted by stella hiatt on April 03, 2006 at 06:26 AM
Q: Are newts happy in a pond with a fountain.
I have alot of newts (25last year ) I have just put a pump in to give a stream to aerate the water , it has a fountain function, if I use it will the fountain upset my newts
A: I don't know why a fountain would be any problem, with one exception. You may need to check the intake area to ensure that newly hatched newts don't get sucked up into the fountain. This would be my only concern. Of course, if you put screening at the intake area, you'll have to clean it regularly but that seems a small price to pay for having newts in your pool - lucky you. Best of luck to you and your animals.
Posted by Chris Book on August 27, 2005 at 11:43 PM
Q: Looks black, when scared moves like snake.about 3-4" long. not sure what to feed it or what enviroment it will like to live in?
A: From the information you provided, it sounds like you uncovered a Redback Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). This species is reasonably abundant in moist, woodland habitat in the northeast and is not always the same color. Some are orangish-red backed while others are almost coal black while others still may be somewhere inbetween. You may think of salamanders as only living near water but this species may be found quite a ways from standing water and they don't even lay their eggs in water but lay their eggs in a damp location in the woods. Take a look at this website and you'll see the two color varieties of this beautiful animal. herpcenter.ipfw.edu
Thanks for your question.
Posted by Maya Eppley on July 18, 2005 at 02:51 PM
Q: The salamander is about 3 inches long including its tail and is red-orange. It has 10 distinct bright orange spots outlined with black on its back with many smaller plain black spots on its belly. Its tail is approximately as long as its body. No stripes anywhere. None of the salamanders on enature.com fit his description.
A: Thank you for your nice description - this really helps.
You've seen an immature (not fully grown) individual that will grow into a Red-spotted Newt . But at this immature stage, since it is so different from the adult form, it is called a red eft (it has its own special name). Red-spotted Newts lay their eggs in pools and ponds and the young live there for a while. After a few months, the immature animals, now called red efts, crawl out onto land and live on land for one to three years and then return to water to live out their lives as Red-spotted Newts.
Your animal is indeed a salamander but one that has a rather different "lifestyle". Most predators avoid newts since they have skin glands that produce a substance that is very irritating to mucous membranes. In fact, the red efts rather bold coloration is a kind of "don't tread on me" sign. People don't have to worry unless after handling newts, they rub their eyes or put fingers in their mouths.
I hope this helps. Take a look in your book under newts and I'll bet you'll find a picture that looks right. Thanks for your question.
Posted by Carmela Socci on June 02, 2005 at 11:42 AM
Q:
The snake I saw was red, yellow and black (stripes). It was about 18 inches long and a bit larger around than a garden hose. I live in Cayuga County; 11 miles south of Auburn, New York. The land I was on is wooded, has deer(enough to hunt); trails are mowed each week if necessary. Have never seen snakes on this land except one other time and that was a small garter snake. Have I given enough info? Thanks for your help!
A: Your information is great. Thanks so much.
From your description and its location, I'd say you saw a Scarlet Kingsnake - an especially beautiful snake. This snake is not venomous and is a shy animal that tends to remain hidden except at night or after rainy periods..Scarlet Kingsnakes feed on small rodents, lizards, small snakes, insects and earthworms. You needn't fear this snake in any way - only wish I had one on my property. Thanks again for your question
Posted by teri on April 18, 2005 at 05:49 PM
Q: I was wondering who you think has been the most important naturalist in the last 100 years? Thanks, Teri
A: Oh my, now there's a question that kept me thinking long and hard! To begin with, your definition of "most important" needs to be determined since this can vary, but I can come up with several people that I think fall into MY category of most important.
Those that come to mind are:
John Muir - is certainly an important figure in the conservation movement in America and although not a naturalist, per se, he has had enormous impact on preservation and appreciation of wild places and, of course, the beginnings of the Sierra Club.
Aldo Leopold - has been an influencial figure who was more of an ecologist but able to write eloquently and certainly has made an impact with his "Sand County Almanac". Many people have been brought closer to nature through his writings.
Roger Tory Peterson - comes to mind with his field guide to birds. Peterson made an enormous contribution to an understanding and appreciation of the natural world with his technique of identifying birds in his guide. Of course, other guides have spun off today from his original bird guide.
E. L. Palmer - was an excellent naturalist who wrote a Field Guide to Natural History that has illustrations and rather extensive information on each species. This book encompasses the animals and plants of North America and while this volumn certainly doesn't list all of the species, it does a good job of highlighting many of the more common ones.
John Serrao - is the best naturalist I know personally although he is not well known across the country. John is a superb naturalist who lives and works in eastern Pennsylvania. John really knows the animals and plants that populate much of the northeast and has a teaching style that encourages people to appreciate what he shares. I can't help but rank him as "an important naturalist"
Hope this helps.
Posted by Teri Davis on April 16, 2005 at 10:57 PM
Q: I was hiking today just south of the Tetons within 2 miles of the Hoeback canyon in Wyoming. I saw a pair of birds and cannot figure out what they are. They were between 5-6 feet tall, pale blue grey on their neck, very long neck, pointy bill. They made a sound that is nothing like a Great blue heron. When they flew they kind of look like geese from below but their feet are skinny like a heron when they fly and obviously their necks were far too long. They squawked at me and then hid behind some aspens. They were beautiful and curious and loud! They continued squawking at me as the flew over me. I was probably 30 yards away from them before they flew away.
Thank you so much for your help!
A: From the sound of your description, you may have seen two Sandhill Cranes. The clincher would be if in steady, level flight, not takeoff, they had their necks outstretched or pulled back. Cranes fly with outstretched necks while in level flight, the herons fly with necks pulled back.
The cranes are certainly impressive birds and can also be quite vocal. My vote would be for Sandhills. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by spencer king on March 28, 2005 at 11:13 PM
Q: i live in northeast PA, i found a dark purple salamader with yellow spots on its back and head, it is about 4" long inculding its tail. me and my girlfreind say it in the middle of the road durring a rain storm, so we kept it and put it in a tank. we were wondering what it was called and what it eats.
A: Thanks for your good description - I could ID your animal very easily!
You found a Spotted Salamander, a really beautiful animal. These salamanders live in deciduous forests in much of eastern North America and are active at night feeding on worms and other small invertebrates. Because they hide during the day and are active at night, then don't make a very good pet. The animal you found was undoubtedly on its way to a small vernal (spring) pond to reproduce. May I suggest that you take a few good photos of your animal and then release it where you found it so it can complete its life cycle.
Posted by Tonya Massey on February 15, 2005 at 07:26 PM
Q: What I am looking for is some kind of reference that indicates what animal reflects back what color eyes in the dark. As I inderstand things, the color reflected back is likley to be different, depending on the species. That was confirmend by google, but I couldn't find anything regarding specifics. Thanks!
A: There is a layer in the back of the eyes of some animals called the tapedum lucidum (ta-PEE-tum LOO-sih-dum) that reflects light back into the eye to help with vision. You are correct in thinking that there are different colors from different animals. A bear's eye shines a deep red, a deer's shines orange-yellow while a cat's shows a greenish tint, I believe sharks are rather green, and of course, humans have a pale red or orangish color. Hope this helps.