BIRDS
- The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and lays the largest eggs of any living land animal.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any bird, traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year.
- Penguins are flightless birds but are expert swimmers, with some species capable of diving up to 1,850 feet deep.
- The Bald Eagle builds the largest nest of any North American bird, which can be up to 13 feet deep and over 8 feet wide.
- Parrots are known for their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.
- The Andean condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds, can have a wingspan of up to 10 feet.
- Flamingos get their pink color from the carotenoid pigments in the foods they eat, like shrimp.
- The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world, measuring about 2.4 inches long.
- Kiwis are flightless birds from New Zealand with nostrils at the tip of their beak.
- Owls can rotate their heads as much as 270 degrees.
- The albatross has the longest wingspan of any bird, which can reach up to 12 feet.
- Woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second.
- The male lyrebird can mimic natural and artificial sounds from its environment.
- Crows and ravens are among the most intelligent birds, capable of solving complex problems.
- Peacocks, the male peafowl, are known for their colorful plumage and large tail feathers.
- The swift can stay airborne for up to 10 months without landing.
- The Greater Honeyguide bird has a mutualistic relationship with humans, leading them to beehives.
- The Hoatzin, a tropical bird from the Amazon, has a digestive system unique among birds, fermenting vegetation in a foregut like cattle.
- Vultures play a vital role in ecosystems by cleaning up carrion and helping prevent the spread of diseases.