When you look up in the sky or walk around the park, you probably see flying creatures. What are they? Yes, they are birds. There are many types of birds around the world. Birds are found on every continent. What makes a bird a bird? Let’s find out.
Birds are the only animals that have feathers. Their feathers help them fly and stay warm. All birds have two wings, two legs, and a beak.
Birds are warm-blooded animals. They have a constant body temperature regardless of the temperature of their surroundings.
How do birds fly? Birds have strong wings. They flap their wings hard to fly. This helps them lift off the ground and move through the air.
Birds have special bones. Their bones are thin and hollow inside. This makes birds very light and their flight easier.
Not all birds can fly, though. Penguins, for example, cannot fly. They use their wings as flippers to swim. Ostriches are another
example of birds that cannot fly. They are good runners. Their powerful legs help them run fast.
Different types of birds eat different foods. Some birds eat seeds, berries, and fruits. Some eat insects, eggs, small mammals, snakes, and fish. Birds spend most of the day searching for food. Some birds eat as much as twice their body weight each day.
Birds lay eggs. Some birds build nests for their eggs. When the eggs hatch, they raise their young there. Some birds migrate. They travel long distances twice a year. They move to cool places for the summer and warm places for the winter.
There are more than 10,000 species of birds all around the world. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. What kinds of birds can you see around you??