What is it that makes an Animal a Bird?
The main feature of a bird is its feathers. No other animals have fur. Other important features for birds are the wings and hollow bones. Birds also lay eggs like reptiles, but they are as warm-blooded as mammals.
Highlights of Birds:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata |
| Class | Aves |
What are Feathers?
Feathers are made of horny substance. It is the same material that nails are made of. In the center of the feather is a hollow shaft called the shaft. Many slender branches called prongs connect to the trunk. In addition to the prongs, there are smaller branches called prongs. All these branches form a lightweight structure that can accumulate air for flight.
How do Birds fly?
Birds fly by flapping their wings and using air pressure to create lift under the wings. Just like airplanes do. The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest birds. It can reach speeds well over 100 miles per hour while diving.
Feathers are important to birds because they keep them warm, help them fly, and camouflage. Hollow bones also aid in flight because they make the bird light enough to fly.
Not All Birds Fly
Although an important feature of most birds is flight, not all birds fly. Some of the flightless birds are penguins, kiwis and ostriches. Penguins actually spend a lot of time in the water, where they are excellent swimmers. On the other hand, the ostrich is a very fast runner. An ostrich can run faster than a horse!
Types of Birds
There are all sizes of birds. The hummingbird is one of the smallest birds, while the ostrich is one of the largest. Different types of birds eat different things. Some birds eat plants, some birds eat insects, and still others eat other animals such as fish, snakes or rodents.
Birds are also known for their mass migrations. Some birds will travel long distances each season to stay in climates favorable to their survival. Birds are sometimes kept as pets. The most popular birds as pets are tropical birds like parrots. Birds also have a habit of helping humans in various tasks. They can carry messages (guide pigeons) and help hunt prey (falcons).
Interesting Facts About Birds
An ostrich can run as fast as 43 miles per hour and reach a height of 9 feet.
Blue birds cannot see blue.
The hummingbird can fly backwards, but it cannot go.
Condor’s shells are so thick that the chicks can take a week to come out of the shell.
One kiwi egg can weigh up to 20% of the mother’s body weight.
A pelican’s beak can hold up to three gallons of water.
Sometimes vultures eat so much that they can’t fly.