Birds and bird migration

In short: Birds are vertebrates with feathers, beak and wings, lay eggs and are warm-blooded. Many species fly to warmer regions in autumn and return in spring: bird migration.

In more detail: There are about 10,000 bird species. Birds descend from dinosaurs.

In detail

• Feathers: Insulate, enable flight, serve courtship and camouflage.
• Lightweight build: Hollow bones, efficient lung, high metabolism.
• Migratory birds: Cuckoo, stork, swallow head south; resident birds such as the sparrow stay.
• Orientation: Sun, stars, Earth’s magnetic field and landmarks.
• Parental care: Nest building, incubation, feeding the young.
• Diet: Grains, insects, meat, nectar; beak shape suits the food.
• Threats: Habitat loss, pesticides and window collisions (insekten-und-bestaeuber).
• Helping: Nest boxes, nature-friendly garden, keep cats indoors in the breeding season (biodiversitaet-und-artenvielfalt).