What has two wings, two legs, a beak or bill, and feathers?

Of course, the
answer is a bird. But, there are nearly 10,000 different kinds of birds, and
they come in all sizes. The smallest is the hummingbird and the largest is the
ostrich.

Birds can be grouped by the places they live, by what they eat, or by the
shape of their feet, beaks, or wings. Birds can be found nearly everywhere in
the world. There are land birds, water birds, arctic birds, and tropical birds.
Some birds eat only insects, others just fruit and seeds. There are also birds
whose diet consists of meat and fish.

There are several characteristics birds have in common, though,

regardless of where they live or what they eat. All birds have feathers, which
help them in many different ways. They help them with flight, may be used
to carry water to the young, or they may be used for warmth.

All birds have two legs and two wings; however, there are a few birds that
cannot fly including the penguin and ostrich. Wings, of course, give most
birds the ability to fly. Some bird species will spread out their wings and
expose them to the Sun to help reduce feather damage.

Most of a bird's body is made of feathers and hollow bones. They do not
weigh very much, which help them fly using their wings. In addition, they
also have very strong muscles which allow them to fly for long periods of
time.

Finally, birds fly differently depending on their wing type. Some birds can
soar through the sky, others must always flap their wings, some wings are
helpful for diving as they propel themselves while diving under water. A few
birds can fly staying in one place, hovering like a helicopter.

All birds have a beak or a bill, which does not include teeth. Most birds
raise their head and use their beaks to allow water to run down their throat.
Other uses for a bird's beak depends on the bird. The beak is adapted for
different uses such as for eating grains, skimming the surface of water,
scavenging, eating fruits, or feeding from the nectar of flowers.

All birds also lay hard-shelled eggs. They produce offspring by laying their
eggs which are then fertilized by a male bird. Most birds lay their eggs in
nests where they are taken care of by the parents. Some birds, such as
hens, lay eggs even if they are not fertilized. The eggs, though, will not
produce any offspring. Instead of laying the egg in a nest, male emperor
penguins keep their eggs between their body and feet.

Finally, all birds are warm-blooded, and have backbones, just like
mammals. Being warm-blooded means the birds can control their body
temperature.

In summary, birds can be grouped by the places they live, by what they
eat, or by the shape of their feet, beaks, or wings. Birds can be found nearly
everywhere in the world.

There are many interesting facts about the different birds found all over
the world. The birds that do not fly include the ostrich, emu, and penguin.
Many birds migrate or fly south to escape cold winters. Birds use their
feathers to help them fly; protect themselves from different types of
weather; to swim, dive, and float; for feeling; keeping clean; and much
more.

00 : 01 : 14

1) Which of the following is the smallest kind of bird in the world?

A: Ostrich

B: Emu

C: Hummingbird

D: Penguin

2) All of the following birds are unable to fly EXCEPT:

A: Penguin

B: Ostrich

C: Emu

D: Cardinal

3) Birds are grouped in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

 A: By their color

B: By what they eat

C: By where they live

D: By the shape of their beaks

4) Which of the following correctly describes birds?

A: Birds are cold-blooded and use their wings to fly.

B: Birds are warm-blooded and produce young by laying eggs.

C: Birds are cold-blooded and produce young by laying eggs.

D: Birds are warm-blooded and cannot control their body temperature.

5) The largest bird in the world is the:

A: Penguin

B: Emu

C: Ostrich

D: Hummingbird

6) Which of the following will help a bird feed from the nectar of flowers?

A: Shape of their beak

B: Size of their wings

C: Type of feathers

D: Length of their legs

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