Waldorf West’s STEAM Club@ Home
What Makes a Bird Different Than Other Animals
Birds are the only warm blooded animal that has feathers
They have wings
They lay eggs
They have hollow bones
Feathers
Feathers are made up of keratin like our fingernails
There is a hollow shaft at the center of each feather
On either side of the shaft are thin branches called barbs
All of these things put together make for a light structure that allows the bird to fly
Taking Flight
Birds fly by flapping their wings and using the air pressure under their wings to lift off.
One of the fastest birds is the Peregrine Falcon who can reach speeds of over 100 mph.
But do all birds fly?
Not All Birds Fly
Despite having wings not all birds fly
The Ostrich and Emu are two of the largest birds and they run on land
The penguin has wings and can’t fly at all but is a really good swimmer
The Kiwi is a smaller flightless bird that lives in New Zealand
Where do birds live?
Some birds live near water
Some birds live in a hole in a tree trunk
Others build intricate nests
Some even live in birdhouses that we put up in our yards
What Do Birds Eat?
The smaller birds that you see on your feeder eat seeds and berries
Others eat bugs and worms
Birds like eagles and pelicans eat fish
Hawks and other birds like falcons and owls may eat smaller birds and rodents
Some birds like vultures eat dead animals
Hummingbirds like nectar from flowers or a hummingbird feeder
Birds that are kept as pets
Parakeets
Chickens
Ducks (some breeds)
Cockatiels