Beautiful Birds

Summary
An introduction to the key anatomical features of birds with emphasis on flight adaptations.

Objectives
• Students will identify the key anatomical features of birds that equip them for flight.

• Students will define the terms keratin, gizzard, and keel.

• Students will recognize several different groupings of modern birds with their characteristics.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Birds have many special features that are designed to make flight possible. They have strong bones, for example, but their bones are honeycombed inside making them lighter. Birds are also lighter than other animals because they are missing certain organs found in other creatures. For example, birds do not have teeth and the females have only one ovary.

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