Spread your wings by learning some fun facts about birds. Keep reading to find out some new facts about our feathered neighbors.
Basic Facts about Birds
There are many species of birds (bald eagle, Baltimore oriole, American three toes woodpecker, wood duck).
All birds have feathers and lay eggs.
Birds make nests.
Most birds fly.
There are big birds like the ostrich and small birds like the hummingbird.
Fun Facts about Birds
Ospreys Carry Prey a Certain Way
When bringing a fresh catch back to the nest, the osprey carries it so that the head is parallel to its own. This helps keep the osprey more aerodynamic to help it fly faster.
In addition, there are pads on the osprey’s feet (along with talons) to help grip a slippery fish.
Bearded Vultures Dye Their Feathers
To stand out to mates and to show dominance, the male bearded vulture will travel to places with iron-rich soil.
Once there, the bird will take a soil bath by rubbing the red soil on their feet and work their way up to their necks.
Next, the birds rub their shoulders together to create a burnt orange suit.
Ornithologists have studied this behavior and have noticed that the soil bath is a different ritual than the bearded vultures use when bathing in water.
Is it a Jet? A Plane? Nope! It’s a Condor!
California Condors have wingspans of 9.5 feet (3 meters).
In comparison, the next largest wingspan of birds in its range is that of a golden eagle which is 2 feet smaller!
California Condors often get confused for a small plane because of how large their wingspan is.
After all, they are the largest land bird in North America. Unfortunately, they are also critically endangered.
Blue Trash is Bower Bird’s Treasure
Male bowerbirds will search high and low for blue items. However, he does not limit these items to naturally occurring objects.
From plastic bottle caps to blue petals, he will take anything that he deems perfect for his bower (the structure he makes).
He is very picky when it comes to items and placement.
The bowers are constructed to impress females to convince them to mate with the male.
Smallest Bird in the World
The bee hummingbird weighs less than a dime and is only 2.25 inches long.
Her nest is only one inch wide, and her eggs are roughly the same size as a coffee bean.
She may be small, but she is mighty. She can pollinate 1,500 in one day! What a great addition to fun facts about birds to know.
Birds Cover Themselves In Ants
More than 200 species of birds have been observed picking up ants in their beaks and rubbing ants on their feathers.
Why? Ornithologists aren’t sure, but it is believed to help manage parasites and other organisms on their feathers.
Among the birds that have been observed doing this behavior are cardinals, wild turkeys, great-horned owls, and robins.
Blue Jays May Chip Your Paint
When in need of calcium, blue jays will find it where they can get it.
This sometimes happens to be light-colored paint (like from your house). The paint contains limestone, which is rich in calcium.
Unfortunately, it is thought that acid rain depletes the calcium in the soil, so the blue jays can’t get the calcium they need from the soil, so they have turned to other sources.
Who knew reading fun facts about birds could help you figure out why your paint seems to chip away?
Sleep While Flying
Migratory birds are known for the long distances they travel. To help cover all of these miles, some of them can sleep while they fly.
Birds aren’t deep sleepers like humans. They will startle awake if a predator is near or if weather conditions change.
Because of this, birds like the alpine swift can cover 200 miles without stopping because they can catch some rest while flying.
Puke and Poop as Protection
Although turkey vultures are scavengers, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to defend themselves.
When threatened, a turkey vulture will projectile puke on the offender. They can project their puke 10 feet!
They also poop on their feet to help protect their feet and legs from getting too dry or too hot.
Crows Hold Funerals
When a crow finds another crow that has passed away, it sends an alert. More crows congregate and begin making noises.
They observe the deceased member to determine the cause of death, so they know what to avoid.
Crows are known to hold grudges for generations against people that have caused harm to them.
Read More About Birds
Bird Trivia: Funny, Strange, and Incredible Facts about North American Birds by Stan Tekiela
Written by the award-winning naturalist and bird photographer Stan Tekiela, this book is filled with beautiful images and tidbits of information to add to your fun facts about birds.
All About Birds: An Illustrated Guide to Our Feathered Friends by Polly Cheeseman
Readers will unpack some thought-provoking questions in this read. This fun facts about birds book are also filled with activities to do at home.
This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds by Danielle Belleny
This book has insight into successful birdwatching, full-color drawings, and facts. This is a perfect addition to an aspiring birdwatcher’s library.
Interesting Facts about Birds
The world of birds is vast. From birds being mistaken for planes to birds being mistaken for bees, the bird world is unique. Fun facts about birds help kids to appreciate the fantastic creatures birds are.