Birds Facts for Kids
Feathered facts about birds from around the world
The shoebill stork of Africa has a massive shoe-shaped bill and can stand completely motionless for hours waiting to ambush fish.
The Andean condor has the largest wingspan of any land bird — up to 10.5 feet — and can soar for hours without a single wingbeat using thermal air currents.
The shape of a bird's beak is closely matched to its diet — Darwin's famous finches in the Galapagos Islands were key evidence for the theory of evolution.
The greater honeyguide of Africa deliberately guides humans to bee nests by calling and flying ahead — and then shares in the honey once the nest is opened.
Sunbirds act as important pollinators in Africa and Asia, hovering at flowers and transferring pollen just as bees do in other parts of the world.
The kea, a parrot from New Zealand's mountains, is known to rip apart rubber seals on cars and has even been recorded eating the wool off live sheep.
The ptarmigan changes its feather colour from brown in summer to pure white in winter, providing perfect camouflage in snowy landscapes.
Male lyrebirds spend up to six years perfecting their extraordinary vocal repertoire before they are old enough to attract a mate.
Bee-eaters catch bees and wasps in mid-air, then rub the insect's tail against a branch to remove the stinger before swallowing it.
When a kingfisher dives into water, a special membrane covers its eyes to protect them, while it uses memory of the fish's position to make the catch.