Birds are one of the most fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom, and there is so much to learn about them. From their unique anatomy to their incredible migration patterns, birds truly are amazing. We’ll be exploring the top 10 facts about birds that you may not have known. From the smallest bird in the world to the many bird species, you’ll be sure to learn something new about these incredible creatures. So read on to discover some of the most interesting facts about birds!
1. There are more than 10,000 species of bird.
There are more than 10,000 different species of bird.
They range from big to small, and are lots of different colours!
How many different birds can you spot?
2. All birds lay eggs.
All female birds lay eggs.
Their baby birds then hatch out of the shells when they are ready.
If you look up into the trees, you might be able to see a nest.
Birds make these so that they have a safe and warm place to keep their eggs.
3. Birds migrate to other countries.
A lot of birds migrate which means, depending on the season, they fly elsewhere.
This is often to do with the weather of different countries or places.
If their food is running low, they need to find it somewhere else to live!
Thousands of different kinds of bird migrate.
Learn about the amazing hummingbird!
4. All birds have feathers!
All birds have feathers and they are very useful for lots of different reasons.
Feathers help birds to fly. They help to control the wind when flying through the air.
They also keep birds warm in the winter!
Did you know that birds also use their feathers to show off?
A peacock does exactly this! A peacock will show all of his feathers to attract a mate.
5. Birds don’t have teeth.
Birds don’t have teeth which means they have to swallow food whole.
They have an organ called a gizzard which grinds up their food.
This then helps them to digest it properly.
6. Birds are great communicators.
Birds chirp and sing.
They do this for lots of different reasons.
One of the reasons is to attract a mate.
Another reason is to warn other birds of danger.
They also do it to scare off predators!
7. A group of birds is called a flock.
A flock of birds is a large group of birds from the same species.
They stay very close together.
It is believed they do this as they are safer from predators when they are in a group.
When they are in a flock they are usually travelling together or looking for food.
8. Some birds can mimic humans!
You might already know that parrots can mimic what we say.
Crows and ravens can also do it… although wild ones haven’t had much practice.
9. Ostriches hold the record for the largest eyes of any living land animal and any bird.
As well as their large eyes, they also lay the largest eggs.
…AND they are the largest bird!
10. The smallest bird is a Bee Hummingbird.
The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird on the planet.
It can grow from 5 to 6.1 centimetres.
Have a look on your ruler to see how small that is!
π Words to know
- Vertebrate
- An animal with a backbone.
- Species
- One kind of living thing. Robins and blue tits are different species.
- Migrate
- To travel a long way at the same time each year, to find food or somewhere warmer.
- Gizzard
- A muscly part of a birdβs stomach that grinds up food, because birds have no teeth.
β οΈ Watch out!
How much do you know about birds?
What do all birds have that no other animal alive today has?
- Feathers
- Wings
- Beaks that are yellow
- Eggs
Which of these birds canβt fly?
- Penguin
- Robin
- Pigeon
- Hummingbird
What is the smallest bird in the world?
- Bee hummingbird
- Wren
- Sparrow
- Blue tit
Which group?
Birds are one of the main animal groups, and the only animals alive today with feathers.
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