This page is about...
Birds.
Awesome right?
If you are nerdy, the answer better be,
"Heck yeah!" If you are not so nerdy, you might think that birds are rubbish.
If you are one of these people, this page is great for you.
So, what you waiting for? Read on!
Awesome right?
If you are nerdy, the answer better be,
"Heck yeah!" If you are not so nerdy, you might think that birds are rubbish.
If you are one of these people, this page is great for you.
So, what you waiting for? Read on!
One thing to clear up...
Birds are NOT just 'flying animals.' If they were, then what would penguins and ostriches be? What about dodos? Birds have three characteristics that separate them from other animals:
When birds flap their wings downwards, the feathers stick together, not allowing air to pass through. Then, as the wings swoop upwards, the feathers part allowing air to pass through again. And that's how they fly.
The bones in the birds' body are also lightweight, but strong enough to withstand the tension of landing and lifting off. Phew! So no broken bones then!
- Feathers (well DUH!)
- Eggs with hard shells
- Hollow bones
When birds flap their wings downwards, the feathers stick together, not allowing air to pass through. Then, as the wings swoop upwards, the feathers part allowing air to pass through again. And that's how they fly.
The bones in the birds' body are also lightweight, but strong enough to withstand the tension of landing and lifting off. Phew! So no broken bones then!
Did you know...?
That a birds feathers are made of the same substance as your fingernails and hair: keratin.
Okay, so now for some animals...
Some birds are awesome just on there own. Here are some freaky birds...
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle... woow. Uggh! That's what some people think. But while you don't have to be that gooey about them, you'll still find these birds amazingly... amazing. But let's hope you don't turn into one of the ScienceDorks...
Anyway, golden eagles have amazing eyesight: they can see rabbit that's a mile away! They are pretty fast, too, as they can dive to catch their prey at speeds of 150 miles per hour!
Using their sharp talons and lightening speed, they grab their prey from the ground, often successfully. Their usual diet consists of reptiles, other birds, but they have been known to try and kill a deer! Foxes, goats, and wild cats have also been eaten by this greedy bird.
Anyway, golden eagles have amazing eyesight: they can see rabbit that's a mile away! They are pretty fast, too, as they can dive to catch their prey at speeds of 150 miles per hour!
Using their sharp talons and lightening speed, they grab their prey from the ground, often successfully. Their usual diet consists of reptiles, other birds, but they have been known to try and kill a deer! Foxes, goats, and wild cats have also been eaten by this greedy bird.
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are so skillful with their wings, that they can fly backwards! But why do they make a humming sound? (They do - watch any old video about them.) By beating their wings really fast, 25 times per second, they make a humming sound. But, as you could imagine, the flapping of the wings take lots of energy, so at night, their body slows down dramatically, as if it was hibernating! Their heart's beat becomes undetectable, and it's breathing seems to stop altogether!
So, for hummingbirds, winter is every night.
So, for hummingbirds, winter is every night.
Penguin
Now, do NOT start telling me that penguins are rubbish, just because they can't fly. Okay? Flying takes up energy, losing alot of heat. So a penguin would probably say:
"What's the point of flying?"
Good. Okay. Phew. Let's get started. Penguins live in the freezing cold, so they have to keep warm. How? By huddling together, they can keep warm; the other penguin's body heat get trapped into their's. Luckily, the ones on the outside swap around so they don't get too cold.
But don't be fooled. Penguins can be cruel, too.
If one of the babies of a female Emperor penguin dies, she'll steal another unrelated chick. But, instead of raising it as her own, she soon abandons it. Awww!
"What's the point of flying?"
Good. Okay. Phew. Let's get started. Penguins live in the freezing cold, so they have to keep warm. How? By huddling together, they can keep warm; the other penguin's body heat get trapped into their's. Luckily, the ones on the outside swap around so they don't get too cold.
But don't be fooled. Penguins can be cruel, too.
If one of the babies of a female Emperor penguin dies, she'll steal another unrelated chick. But, instead of raising it as her own, she soon abandons it. Awww!
Did you know...?
Humans can't drink saltwater. No, that's not fact, this is:
Penguins CAN - they have a 'supraorbital gland', which is near their eyes, this filters salt out of their system.
Penguins CAN - they have a 'supraorbital gland', which is near their eyes, this filters salt out of their system.
The Honeyguide bird
Do YOU want honey? Then just call the honeyguide bird! These birds, as you've probably guessed, LOVE honey. But the trouble is, the bee hives are protected by bees. So, the bird calls out to this 'honey badger', with tough skin to protect it from the bee's stings.
Now, the honey badger LOVES honey. (Well, duh!) So, the badger finds a honey guide bird, then follows it to a bee hive. And, naturally, the honey badger eats most of the honey, distracting the bees and drawing attention away from the bird, who gets the scraps. Gosh, life would be amazing if you were a chocolateguide bird, wouldn't it? All the chocolate that you've ever dreamed of!
Now, the honey badger LOVES honey. (Well, duh!) So, the badger finds a honey guide bird, then follows it to a bee hive. And, naturally, the honey badger eats most of the honey, distracting the bees and drawing attention away from the bird, who gets the scraps. Gosh, life would be amazing if you were a chocolateguide bird, wouldn't it? All the chocolate that you've ever dreamed of!
Peregrine Falcon
These birds are... wait for it...
...the fastest animal EVER!
Yep. AWESOME!
These birds, to catch their prey, just staying there, in the sky, waiting.
These birds, to catch their prey, just staying there, in the sky, waiting.
No - stupid - there's more. Then, when the spot some prey, like another bird, it dives, reaching the record speed of 200 miles per hour.
Cool! Here's another thing - in six days, a baby peregrine falcon is up to 2 times heavier. But that's not all: after three weeks, they are a incredible 10 times heavier! Do you think YOU could gorge yourself on pizza that much?
These birds are found in every continent except Antarctica. They have been known to live through cities, tropics and even deserts!
What a bird!
Cool! Here's another thing - in six days, a baby peregrine falcon is up to 2 times heavier. But that's not all: after three weeks, they are a incredible 10 times heavier! Do you think YOU could gorge yourself on pizza that much?
These birds are found in every continent except Antarctica. They have been known to live through cities, tropics and even deserts!
What a bird!