Balancing Bird

Product Information

Using a STEAM approach and very few materials you can get an insight into COG in a creative format with the Balance Bird. Fortunately, we can do a lot to reduce these risks by following best practice guidelines to garden bird feeding – including offering a variety of foods from trusted sources in different locations around the garden, feeding little and often so that food isn’t exposed to the elements for long periods, and ensuring that feeders are cleaned and moved regularly to avoid an accumulation of waste food or bird droppings.

It might seem strange that the bird is perfectly balanced at the beak location. But this is because the bird is designed this way. The wings are extended in front of the beak far enough, and made heavy enough, to balance the weight of the bird behind the beak. Real world Seesaw's don't allow you to move the balance point which is why the lighter of two friend tends to be stranded in mid air requiring additional friends to try and add more weight at the lighter end or requiring the heavier individual to move closer to the centre in an attempt to regain balance.

Multiple independent studies indicate that the genuine pleasure we gain from feeding birds is what motivates us to keep doing it. Nowhere is this more evident than in Australia, where vast numbers of people put out food for wild birds despite widespread opposition from wildlife and conservation agencies. For teachers, he notes that the balancing bird is a useful activity when teaching about moments and center of gravity. From his book:

In most objects it is not clear where the center of gravity is. If an object has a strange shape then you cannot know by looking at it where the center of gravity is. If an object has a uniform shape, like a pencil, or a square, then the center of mass is easy to determine. It's in the center of the object. But for objects with non-uniform shapes this is not known ahead of time. To find the center of gravity for these objects you need to use trial and error. You must try balancing the object on different points until you find the point where the object is perfectly balanced, and doesn't fall over. This point, once found, is the center of gravity. The two pea sized balls do not have to be exactly the same weight, some variation can be tolerated which will be evident in a tilt. This will only really be an issue if the bird topples over at the slightest touch.Fold the straw in half and tape it to the underside of the bird so the center of the straw is just behind the head and the bent sides extend under the wings. Tape one penny near the tips of the wings on the underside of the bird. Try to put them the same distances from the edges on both sides.

Technology - Methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes. Seed mixes can be fed to wild birds in a number of ways. From a Bird Table, Seed Feeder or Window Feeder for garden birds who prefer eating at a height and out of reach from predators, or use a Ground Feeder for ground feeding birds. This was used as a template by placing it over a piece of card, taping one edge to stop it moving and then using a modelling knife* to cut around the template and through to the card beneath.Each piece has been expertly crafted from a selection of high-quality metal materials including wrought iron, aluminium and steel. Ideal for placement within flowerbeds or grassy areas, the delicacy and intricacy of each design will bring a real sense of charm to any outdoor space.