Birds

Birds have evolved from species for thousands of years. They evolved from theropod dinosaurs including Pteranodons. They have` also been very useful to humans too. Many species have been taken to design aircraft. The slowest bird is the American woodcock which maximum speed is 5mph [8km hr].The fastest is the peregrine falcon reaching speeds of 217mph [320km hr]. Birds have a large range of speeds and can surprise humans with there incredible ability to fly.

Birds of prey

These predators are very agile. Here are some of the fascinating species.

Peregrine falcon                                                          Hobby hawk

The speed of them can                                                 They normally hunt dragonflies

Sometimes instantaneously                                          and damselflies. Found usually

Kills their prey. Found all over the                              near fens.

World.

Golden eagle                                                         Osprey

These well known birds have keen                   An enormous fish-eater with nest perimeter

eyesight and have seen attacking prey             of 8m, these strong hunters live in mountainous

larger then itself for example a deer.                Wetlands.

Found nesting on cliff ledges.

 

Flocks of birds

Flocks of birds have different names for their groups:

• A murder of crows
• A sedge of bitterns
• A brood of chickens
• A gulp of cormorants
• A herd of cranes
• A dole of doves
• A raft of ducks
• A convocation of eagles
• A gaggle of geese
• A charm of finches
• A parliament of owls
• A mob of emus
• A stand of flamingos
• A covey of grouse
• A colony of gulls
• A kettle of hawks
• A siege of herons
• A colony of ibises
• A party of jays
• A desert of lapwings
• A bevy of larks
• A tiding of magpies
• A flash of mallards
• A watch of nightingales
• A company of parrots
• A muster of peacocks
• A squadron of pelicans

 

Migration

Migration is a vital part in birds lives. If they don’t do it, they couldn’t survive. But some birds don’t migrate. Some of these birds are chickadees, titmice, downy woodpeckers and song sparrows. Sometimes red tailed hawks over-winter. The artic tern has the longest migration in the world. They travel 49,700 miles a year. Birds that live in the northern hemisphere tend to migrate northward in the spring to take advantage of burgeoning insect populations, budding plants and an abundance of nesting locations.

As winter approaches and the availability of insects and other food drops, the birds move south again. Birds fly in a V shape because it is harder to fly at the front and easier at the back because nothing is shielding you from the wind so they take turns at the front.

Above: Puffins nest in holes on islands in a colony where they fly and catch fish.

By Henry, Year 4.