Page 44 - ICSE Science 3 : E-book

There are some birds who do not build nests. For
Did You Know!
example, cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other
A woodpecker is able to
birds like crow. They do not even hatch their eggs or peck 20 times in a second
feed their young ones. on the tree trunk.

Nests of Some Other Birds

Scrape Nests
Birds like penguin, ostrich and vulture make shallow depressions
on the ground lined with leaves, grasses, small stones and pebbles
or feathers. These materials may help to camoufl age the eggs to

keep them warm and in place.

Penguin’s nest
Burrow Nests

Birds like swallow and kingfi sher dig their nests using their beaks
and feet. These nests vary in their depth, and end in an enlarged
chamber where the birds keep their eggs.

Swallow’s nest

Some Interesting Facts about Birds

Birds lay eggs but they come in many diff erent shapes, sizes and colours. All
eggs are covered with a hard shell. Egg shells of some birds have markings with

black, brown or other shades. Birds can even make diff erent sounds. Some such
interesting facts about birds are as follows.

• The largest egg of a bird was laid by an ostrich. The smallest egg was laid by a

hummingbird. The egg of a hummingbird is the size of a pea.

• Penguin is the only bird that walks straight.

• Birds make sounds to communicate with each other. Each bird has a unique

sound.

• There are songbirds that eat insects which harm plants and trees. In addition,
they also eat fruit, nuts and seeds.

• Hens and peacocks can fl y only a short distance.

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