Birds are specially adapted for flight, whether skimming short distances between branches or flying for weeks at a time above the oceans. The shape of their wings gives a clue to the kinds of flight they make. Birds’ bodies need to be light enough for flight. The large surface area of their wings pushes air downwards as they flap to lift the bird. At the same time, birds need immensely powerful chest muscles to move their wings. Feathers are the ideal covering —they are light but strong and flexible. In flight, they can lie flat against the bird’s body to reduce wind resistance.
Flying is possible for birds because of their strength, speed, weight and the way their bodies are created with parts such as wings. These are adaptations, or special and different features, that are designed to help birds fly. There are many different birds with different ways of flying.
When you look outside, you probably see lots of different birds flying and soaring from place to place. Their wings flap and help them to fly high in the air. Then, their wings spread out in a strong, straight line to continue soaring.
Birds’ bodies are usually lighter in weight than other animals. This is a necessary adaptation that helps them fly. Gravity is an invisible force that pulls heavier objects down toward Earth more than lighter objects. Therefore, the light weight of birds makes it easier for them to move up into the air since less gravity is working against them.
Birds’ weight is also focused toward the center of their bodies. They don’t have too much weight on the sides, front and back of their bodies. This gives them the balance they need to fly.
Your bones are thick and heavy. However, birds’ bones are hollow, or empty, on the inside, which causes less weight. They also have very light feathers. Mother birds lay eggs instead of carrying babies in their bodies, which helps them to stay lighter in weight as well. Additionally, birds have beaks instead of heavy teeth and noses; this also helps to reduce their weight.
Have you ever walked around with a heavy, full stomach from eating too much? This causes you to feel heavier. Birds, on the other hand, eat lightweight foods such as berries, seeds and light meats that digest very quickly. Their bodies also get rid of wastes quickly so that they’re not too weighed down to fly.
Picture Credit : Google