Fascinating Nature
Exotic Birds
Some birds can't fly, some have claws on their wings, and one can copy the sound of a chainsaw! Meet a few of the world's most surprising birds.
Did you know?
The kakapo of New Zealand is the world's only parrot that cannot fly. It is also the heaviest parrot. It climbs tall trees and spreads its wings to 'parachute' gently down.
Hoatzin chicks in South America have tiny claws on their wings! They use them to climb back up branches to their nest. The claws disappear as the birds grow up.
The lyrebird of Australia is a champion copycat. It can copy the clicks of a camera, the wail of a car alarm and even the roar of a chainsaw!
Try this: Beak Buffet
A bird's beak is shaped like a tool for its food. Collect four 'beaks': a spoon, a clothes peg, two pencils (used like chopsticks) and a straw. Try to pick up rice grains, a little water from a bowl, a paper ball and some dal. Which 'beak' works best for each food? Which real birds have beaks like these?
Go further: Feathers That Trick Your Eyes
A blue jay's feathers have no blue colour in them at all! Instead, each feather has tiny layers and air pockets that bounce mostly blue light back to your eyes. Scientists call this structural colour. If light shines from behind the feather, it looks brown. If the feather is crushed, the blue vanishes completely. Next time you see a shining blue bird, ask yourself: is it colour, or a clever trick of light?