#birds
Questions about “birds”.
8 articles
What is the fastest animal in the world?
There is a bird that falls through the sky faster than a bullet train. But change how you compare “fast,” and some surprising creatures turn up.
How smart are crows?
Crows have a reputation as pests that raid garbage bins. But peek into researchers’ experiments, and a surprisingly rich world opens up inside those small heads.
Do penguins have knees?
Penguins waddle along on stubby little legs. But peek at the skeleton beneath the feathers, and you find a posture you would never guess from the outside.
Why are flamingos pink?
Everyone knows the flamingo as the pink bird. But one look at a flamingo chick tells you that color isn’t something they’re born with.
How many feathers are on a badminton shuttlecock?
A badminton shuttle looks simple, a neat ring of white feathers on a cork. But that little projectile is governed by surprisingly exact rules, and a lot of fuss over birds’ wings.
How fast does a hummingbird’s heart beat?
A tiny bird hangs perfectly still in front of a flower, sipping nectar. Inside that jewel-like body, a heart is beating at an almost unimaginable pace.
Why can owls turn their heads so far?
The body stays put while the face swivels to look straight behind. A move like that could seriously hurt a human. How does an owl’s body pull it off?
Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches?
Day after day, woodpeckers slam their beaks into trees. It would leave any of us seeing stars. So how do their heads cope?