Flying birds are what we think of when we think about our feathered friends. Here's what you need to know about flying birds.
Birds are set up to fly
The most obvious physical feature on a bird that transforms the bird from a land roaming animal into a flying bird is its wings. All birds have wings, and most use their wings for flying. The way a wing is structured creates a tent that catches the wind and creates lift, which pulls the bird's entire body into the air. When a flying bird is in flight, it also uses its wings to steer and stay warm. Wings are equip with several different layers of feathers that keep the bird warm and help the animal steer its way through the sky.
Birds also have prominent breast bones that aid in flight and allow the flying bird to develop and support strong chest muscles. Without these muscles, the bird would not have the strength to operate its wings and carry itself into flight.
The last physical feature that allows birds to be flying birds rather than land walking birds is the bird's bone structure. Birds have hollow bones, which in some parts of the body make the bird lighter. In other areas, such as the bird's legs, it helps the bird increase its strength. Hollow bones in a bird's legs allow the bird to successfully absorb shock when it takes off and lands.
Not all birds fly
Although we think of birds as flying birds, not all birds have flying capabilities. There are about 40 different bird species roaming around the world that cannot fly. There is nothing wrong with these birds; they were just not designed to fly.
Kiwis, ostriches and penguins are three of the birds that are not considered flying birds. Each one of these birds can't fly for a reason. Kiwis, for example, never had to fly because they didn't have to escape from any predators. These animals live in New Zealand and didn't have any predators until fairly recently so they did not evolve into flying birds.
The ostrich, on the other hand, has always lived in areas where it has predators; however, it evolved in such a way that it could defend itself against predators without becoming a flying bird. The ostrich uses its massive clawed feet to fend off any predators. An ostrich will push off and kick its predator with its feet with such a force that the predator will leave it alone. All birds that are not flying birds did not get the gift of flight because they have some other way to survive.
