NW Democrat-Gazette

All about birds

The team at Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation treats birds from all over Arkansas and the surrounding areas. There are many different types of birds, though three common groups are admitted regularly. If you know what to look – and listen – for, it’s easy to identify each type:

• Songbirds have an intricate voice box that allows them to sing incredible songs. Songbirds are a type of perching bird and have special feet that allow them to perch comfortably on branches. More than half of the bird species in the world are songbirds! Blue jays, cardinals and American robins are songbirds.

• Waterfowl are built for the water. They are strong swimmers thanks to their webbed feet. Most waterfowl have also long necks and waterproof feathers. Mallards, Canada geese and wood ducks are waterfowl.

• Raptors are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. They are equipped with sharp talons and curved beaks – a deadly combination for their prey. Raptors are also called birds of prey. Barred owls, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks are raptors.

Seed and Nut Lovers

Birds that eat seeds and nuts require strong beaks to crack their hard outer shells. Think about the birds you’ve seen eating out of a birdfeeder, like northern cardinals and American goldfinches – they use their short, cone-shaped beaks to easily break open the birdseed to get to the tasty snack hidden inside.

Crazy for bugs

Some birds need mosquitos, flies, beetles, ants and other insects in their diets. These birds have thin, sharp beaks that let them precisely catch and pickup bugs. Black-capped chickadees, house sparrows, barn swallows and bluebirds love to eat bugs.

Nectar drinkers

Don’t forget the hummingbirds! These little guys (and girls) have long, needle-like beaks that allow them to drink the sugary nectar right out of the flowers. Orioles, mockingbirds and warblers also enjoy taking sips of nectar and tree sap. Take a close look at the birds in your backyard. What types of birds do you see? What kind of food do you think they eat? Fly into a good book about birds … see the Bookworm Kids book list on page 30.

Official Kids Mag

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2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edition.nwaonline.com/article/283618174380435

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