Feathers cover almost every part of a bird’s body.The feathers are strong and light to help birds fly.The feathers also keep a bird warm.Most birds lose their feathers and grow new ones every year.The feathers of some birds are red,green,yellow,blue,and other beautiful colors.
A bird’s wings are also covered with feathers.Some birds have long wings for soaring and gliding.Others have short wings that they flap quickly when they fly.
A bird’s tail is made of short and long feathers.Some birds have forked tails.Other birds have tails that are rounded,pointed,or square.
Birds have beaks or bills instead of jaws with teeth.There are many shapes and sizes of beaks.The shape of the beak depends on what the bird eats.Toucans are tropical birds with huge,curved beaks.They use their beaks to crack open nuts.Sparrows and finches have thick beaks that are perfect for crushing seeds.
How Big Are Birds?