This document discusses different orders of birds and their characteristics. It describes three main bird orders: Psittaciformes which have large beaks used for climbing and feeding; Piciformes like woodpeckers that have long hard beaks and eat fruits, vegetation, and insects; and Passeriformes which are perching birds with 4 toes and small but strong beaks. It also discusses birds of prey like falcons and owls that have sharp beaks and talons adapted for tearing flesh. Finally, it provides details on penguins, noting the 18 species live in the Southern Hemisphere and are specialized for swimming with paddle-like forelimbs and rear-positioned feet.

1. Birds
By Mr. “Is that the Sun” Chapman

2. First Bird Archaeopteryx

3. Bird Orders
► Order: Psittaciformes :
► Feet: 4 toes- 2 forward and 2 backwards
► Beaks: large- used to climb, clasp, feed,
and for defense.

5. Bird Orders
► Order:Piciformes : Wood peckers,
toucans
► Most are tree dwellers with long hard beaks.
► They eat fruits, vegetation, and insects.
► Have a cushion behind their beak to absorb
impact of pecking at trees.

7. Bird Orders
► Order: Passeriformes : Perching Birds
 5,100 species
► Feet: 4 toes- 3 forward and 1 backward
► Toes are not webbed
► Beaks: small, but strong

10. Birds of prey (Raptors) are those that hunt and kill
their food, with the exception of vultures, which don’t hunt
but scavenge on animals that are already dead.
Order Falconiformes - Falcons, Hawks, Eagles,
Vultures
These birds are characterized by a sharp, decurved beak
that is adapted to tearing through flesh, sharp powerful
claws called talons, and eyes that face forward as much
as they do to the side. This gives them binocular vision.

12. Birds of Prey
► Order Strigiformes – Owls
► These birds have large eyes, ears that are
situated asymmetrically on each side of their
head, talons, and a decurved beak. Very soft,
dense plumage makes them appear larger than
they actually are. The feathers are tattered on the
edges. This muffles the owls’ flight allowing them
to silently swoop down and capture their prey.

14. Order Sphenisciformes – Penguins
There are 18 species of penguins. All
live south of the Equator and are highly
specialized for “flying” through water.
Their body is oily and heavy, but
buoyant. Their feathers are scale-like
and overlap such as to keep a layer of
warm air trapped between them and
the bird’s skin. Water cannot penetrate
through the tight fitting plumage.
The forelimbs are thick and paddle-like
for swimming and the feet are situated
far back on the bird’s body. When
penguins swim, their feet work like
rudders for steering.

15. Important Food
► Cuttlefish Bones
► Provides birds with a
source of calcium.
► Calcium need for
growth and egg shells