1. What’s a bird to us? Lucille Dunne Nightingale sound

2. Characteristics Of Birds All birds have feathers No teeth – have beaks Forelimbs are modified to form wings Lay eggs Warm-blooded Scales on feet The defining characteristics of birds are: a beak and feathers! Characteristics Of Birds

3. Identifying Features Of Birds Size of bird Shape, size and colour of beak Shape, colour and stucture of legs and feet Plumage and markings Habitat and activity See website on identification of birds in my garden

4. Reproduction in Birds Most birds are taken care of by at least one parent until they are able to fly look after themselves. Birds bear their young in hard-shelled eggs. They are said to be oviparous. Birds build nests for breeding in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground. Male birds are often brightly coloured to attract females for mating purposes. Females birds are often less colourful, helping to camouflage her when she is caring for her young.

5. Adaptations for Flight 2 wings Lightweight bones Powerful flight muscles Breathe through lungs Flight feathers for lift and balance Streamlined body shape

6. Adaptations to the environment: Shape of beaks: –adapted to food source : –long thin beak to get nectar from flowers –short, hooked, strong beak to kill mice etc Feathers: –Flying –Insulation / waterproofing –Mating / Courtship / incubation of eggs Feet: –Webbed for swimming –Claws for catching and killing prey etc Wings - flying: –Migration for survival / breeding Adaptations to the environment:

7. Importance of Birds to the Environment Birds play a vital role in the balance of nature Eat insects (agricultural pests) Fruit eating birds are important for the dispersal of seeds Pollinate flowers

8. Importance of birds to people Source of protein as meat and eggs Feathers used for pillows, quilts, clothes, feather dusters etc… Models for flight

9. What’s a bird to us? Birds are: –Beautiful –Musical –Skillful –Magical –Essential to nature –Essential to people

10. Click here to read ‘Strictly Birds’ a fun newsletter all about birds.

11. Bibliography http://www.birdlife.org.za http://www.nhm.org/birds/guide/pg001.html http://www.ornithology.com/lectures/Introduction.html http://wings.avkids.com/Curriculums/irds/flight_of_birds_summary.htmlhttp://wings.avkids.com/Curriculums/irds/flight_of_birds_summary.html http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/ Bird sound::http://www.classaves.co.uk/birdsounds/general.htmhttp://www.classaves.co.uk/birdsounds/general.htm