Bob travels to schools to teach kids how to help wild birds.
The students could barely contain their excitement. A special visitor was coming to their school. He had soft, pink feathers on his body and a curved beak. The visitor turned out to be a friendly flamingo named Bob!
Bob lives on the Caribbean island of Curaçao [kur-uh-SOW]. He was visiting the school with veterinarian Odette Doest in 2017. They were there to teach kids an important lesson-—how to help wild birds.
JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN ®
Special Powers
Flamingos are one of more than 18,000 different bird species around the world. Some species have special powers. Vultures can soar as high as a plane. Falcons can fly as fast as a train.
But the birds of our world are in danger. A recent report says that one in eight bird species are dying out. The biggest threat? Humans. We leave behind trash that birds eat by accident. We cut down trees where birds build their nests. We build tall glass buildings. Birds can crash into them and get hurt.
That’s what happened to Bob. In October 2016, he flew into a hotel window. Luckily, Doest came to help. The two have been a team ever since.
JASPER DOEST
Students meet Bob and Doest!
Small Changes
Today, Doest takes Bob with her to visit schools across Curaçao. She teaches students that small changes can help wild birds. Kids can use reusable bottles instead of plastic ones. They can say no to balloons at parties. They can grow bird-friendly plants in their yards.
Kids say that meeting Bob is an unforgettable experience. Doest hopes that Bob’s message about protecting wild birds will be unforgettable too.
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
We think Bob is one exciting bird. If your students agree, they’ll love to learn about two more extraordinary birds: the ostrich and the bee hummingbird from our October/November 2020 Paired Texts feature. These are the largest and smallest birds in the world! Ask your students to point out special abilities that these birds possess.
Show this two-minute video about flamingos from Kids Learning Videos. Afterward, have your students answer the question that ends the video presentation: “What’s your favorite thing about flamingos?”
