5 MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF BIRDS

Birds compose a diverse class (Aves) of species, as dissimilar as tiny darting hummingbirds and 8-foot flightless ostriches, with about 9,000 living species known. Generally accepted to have evolved from reptilian dinosaurs, birds share several characteristics with other classes of animals, including a skeletal backbone housing a spinal cord, a four-chambered heart and warmbloodedness. Other of birds' characteristics are unique or essentially unique.

Feathers :

Feathers are the defining characteristic of Aves, found on every living species of bird and no other class of animal. Feathers are made of keratin, the same substance that forms hair and nails in other animals and are highly modified scales. Feathers are critical not only for flight but also for warmth and protection against the elements -- and in many species, for males to attract mates. Soft, fluffy downy feathers help keep birds warm, contour feathers streamline birds’ bodies and aid in flying, and flight feathers on wings and tail give the bird loft. Birds shed, or molt, old feathers once or twice each year, depending on the species.

Wings :

All birds have wings, although not all birds fly. Nor are wings confined to Aves; bats are flying mammals and most insects have wings. Birds' bodies are beautifully designed for flight, with strong chest muscles and just enough curve to their wings to provide lift. Differences in wing shape provide different advantages to the various bird species. The narrow, sharp-tipped wings of the falcon provide speed; albatrosses soar high on wings much longer than they are wide. Most songbirds have elliptical, evenly shaped wings that facilitate quick, small movements in the tight spaces of their tree homes. Swimming birds, such as penguins and puffins, have flipper-shaped wings that propel them rapidly and gracefully through water.

Beak :

All birds have beaks, or bills, made of a bony core surrounded by a thin layer of keratin. Birds do not have true teeth, but many species have tomia -- sharp ridges along the edges of their beaks. Birds do not chew food but grind or rip it into pieces small enough to swallow. The shape of a bird's beak indicates the bird's general diet. Meat-eaters like hawks and owls have sharp, hooked beaks for ripping and tearing. Strong, cone-shaped beaks help seed eaters break through shells. Ducks and geese have broad, flat beaks for straining food out of the water.

Eggs :

All birds lay eggs, some very colorful or covered with spots. Eggs are not unique to birds, of course, as fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects also lay eggs. A bird egg has a hard shell made mostly of calcium and a layer of hardened mucus. Inside the egg, the developing embryo receives nutrition from the yolk and the albumin, the egg white. Most birds construct nests to protect their eggs, and then care for the eggs and the hatchlings. The majority of bird species are devoted parents; in most cases, both male and female care for young.

Skeleton :

Most birds have lightweight skeletons with hollow bones. This keeps them light enough for flight. Many fused bones, including the collarbones or wishbones, make birds’ skeletons rigid in comparison to mammals'. This helps brace the birds' wings during flight. Their sternums, or breastbones, are large, providing sturdy attachment points for powerful wing muscles. Flightless penguins have heavy bones filled with marrow, helping them to survive in their freezing home range. Ostriches have heavy, solid bones in their legs, helping the birds run and defend themselves with powerful kicks.

There could be nothing more pleasant than waking up in the morning to the sounds of the sweet chirping of the birds. Their delicate sounds seem like music to me. Although I can never follow what they try to convey, the one thing that can be clearly inferred is that they are always hungry first thing in the morning! Having a bird table has given me tremendous pleasure of having visitors throughout the morning period. Sometimes, apart from the occasional common species, I am fortunate enough to have the not-so-social varieties feeding from my food platter laid out for the birds. The beautiful sounds they use to communicate can sometimes be an exciting experience as well, with the variations they provide. Witnessing the different birds that I have come across, I often wondered how many such species may have existed in reality, some which are extinct or on their way to extinction. Therefore, I have compiled a list of different types of birds that include the common and rare birds.

Different Kinds of Birds

There are over 10,000 various species of birds across the world. These feathered creatures are warm-blooded, can fly due to their wings, and lay eggs (as opposed to mammals). From varied size, communication skills, migration patterns, diet and feeding requirements, shapes, colors, to types of flight, these creatures are nothing short of a marvel.

Avocets

There are 4 different species of Avocet found around the world - Pied Avocet, Red-necked Avocet, Andean Avocet, and American Avocet. This bird is found in North and South America, Europe, and even Australia. This long-legged bird has webbed feet and an upturned, thin bill. They live in large colonies and have been known to become quite aggressive and defensive, if feel threatened.

Bald Eagles

The bald eagle is found in marshes and near coastlines. They have very large and broad wings, with a broad tail. The head and tail are white in color, which is the major distinguishable factor of the bald eagle. The long, hooked bill is yellow in color. They prey on fish, ducks, rabbits, raccoons, beavers, geese, gulls, reptiles, etc.

Catbirds

Catbirds are known to imitate the sounds of other birds. They are gray in color, and have a shade of chestnut, just under their tail. Different species of Catbirds are found in various parts of the world - Spotted Catbird, Green Catbird, White-eared Catbird, Tooth-billed Catbird, Gray Catbird, Black Catbird, and Abyssinian Catbird.

Doves

Doves are smaller than pigeons and have a longer tail in appearance. Doves are found throughout the world and these are also a symbol of romance as well as peace. They feed on fruits, plants, and seeds to survive. There are different species of doves found - Dwarf Fruit Dove, Eared Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Laughing Dove, Whistling Dove, Caroline Ground-dove, Grenada Dove, Black-banded Fruit Dove, Moreno's Ground Dove, Rock Dove, Atoll Fruit Dove, Orange Dove, Socorro Dove, Polynesian Ground Dove, and Ruddy Ground Dove.

Eastern Bluebirds

These are around 6½ inches in length. Such birds are found mainly in gardens, woodlands, and orchards with the arrival of spring. Male Eastern Bluebirds are bright blue on the upper half and have a white belly. Female Eastern Bluebirds have a grayish head with shades of blue as well. New York and Missouri have named this creature as their state bird.

Flamingos

These pink-bodied birds with a unique beak, are generally found in large colonies. The beaks are capable of eliminating mud and silt before they can eat their food. Flamingos can be found in many African countries, areas of Florida, and one particular type of species is found only in the Andean highlands. The various Flamingo species are - Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, American Flamingo, Andean Flamingo, James's Flamingo, and Chilean Flamingo.

Geese

There are 3 different types of geese found around the globe - grey geese (Anser), black geese (Branta), and white geese (Chen). Geese are medium to large in size and can be domesticated easily. There are many species of the same; most of which migrate to various places each year. This bird is vegetarian by nature, therefore not a favorite when it comes to farmers trying to protect their crops.

Herons

Herons have a slight resemblance to storks, spoonbills, etc. These are also known as egrets or bitterns. These are generally found near wetlands. They feed on fish, insects, and other aquatic animals. There are about 64 different species of herons found in the world.

Kingfishers

There are over 90 various species of Kingfishers found in the woodland areas as well as wetlands, across the world. They are superb divers when it comes to catching fish in the rivers. Their pointed bills are what help them bag the catch. Kingfishers have superb eyesight whether they are in air or under water.

Magpie Watching

This bird is considered to be a thief because it is known to steal young birds away from the nests. Such is the reputation of the magpie that it turned out to be the main culprit in the popular Tintin series, The Castafiore Emerald. There are many species of the same. These are self-reliant from their young age when it comes to hunting for their food.

Owls

Sleep by the day, awake through the night; these hunt in the night for insects, rats, hares, certain fish, and other birds. There are many varieties of owls and many of these are found all over except for regions of Antarctica and remote islands. Although, they can be divided up into 2 distinct families - Strigidae and Tytonidae. The unique feature of owls is that it can rotate its head in any direction.

Penguins

Penguins are found in the Southern hemisphere; most Antarctica. The Emperor Penguin is the largest of these species. These are aquatic birds, which cannot fly. There a few species that are found in the temperate zone, like the Galápagos Penguins, as well. The most fascinating quality about penguins is that they tend to live half of their lives in the chilly waters of the ocean and the other half on icy land.

Peafowls

The Peafowl includes two species of birds. The male is called the peacock and the female, a peahen. In India, the peacock enjoys the position of a national bird and is most admired for its attractive tail, which is displayed during the courtship period. They mostly feed on flower petals, seeds, insects, reptiles, and certain parts of plants.

Quails

Quails belong to the pheasant family. These are medium-sized and feed mainly on seeds and insects. Certain species of quail are hunted in the wild or on farms, raised to be cooked, or even produce eggs.

Roadrunners

Roadrunners are generally found in the deserts of Southwestern United States, Central America and Mexico. Such birds feed largely on insects and lead either a solitary life or in pairs. There are two different species of roadrunners found - Greater Roadrunner and Lesser Roadrunner. They feed on insects, certain reptiles, rodents, fruits, seeds, and small mammals.

Sparrows

Sparrows are plump and have powerful beaks. These include seeds and insects in their diet. These like to dust bathe. For this, they will dig a little bit of earth with their feet, lie on the dirt, and fling it around. This way, dust falls on their bodies and wings. They also like to do the same in water.

Toucans

Toucans have a very colorful and large bill, which is the most distinguishing factor of these birds. These are brightly colored, flamboyant birds. These eat fruits but can also include insects in their diet as well. Such birds are non migratory and nest in tree holes.

Vultures

Vultures are easily distinguished because of their bald head and brown bodies. These are scavengers and generally kill only the wounded or sick animals. They tend to wait for another carnivore or scavenger to eat the carcass first, and then make its move when possible.

Woodpeckers

The woodpecker probably got its name because of the tapping sound it creates when it pecks on the tree trunks. This method is used as means of communication as well as to find insects in the tree trunk.

There are many beautiful and attractive birds, such as parrots, hornbills, cranes, weavers, ostriches, emus, swans, ducks, swallows, etc., one can see in nature apart from these. These are better off in their natural surrounding, so if you think you can have it as a pet, you need to think again! These would prefer to have their own freedom rather being cooped up in a cage. Observe and enjoy their presence, but from a distance!