Birds are the fastest of all animals. Only birds have feathers. That has made them, the masters of the air. Birds have hollow bones and feathers that help in smooth fly and the tail is used for steering. Some birds fly at great heights. A few fly only a short distance. A few fly only from one tree to another. Some birds fly from one continent to another in winter.

Most of the birds build nests to lay eggs. Some birds lay eggs on the ground. Cuckoo is the only bird that does not build nest and lay eggs in other species nest.

Baby birds when hatched are blind. But water bird’s chicks are born fully feathered and can swim straight away.

A few birds live on plants, a few eats insects. Prey birds have hooked beak to tear flesh and have sharp talons.

A few are water birds - Duck, Swan, Pelican and such. Humming bird found only in America is the smallest bird, eats nectar from the flowers fly backwards; its nest is no bigger than the thumb. Ostrich the bird of Africa is the largest and the tallest bird and it can not fly. Penguin of Antarctic can not fly but uses its feather to swim in water. Peregrine falcon fly very fast. Only male birds sing. Parrot can be trained to talk. Pigeon is the only bird that acts like a postman. Peacock has lovely feathers; it opens its feather and walks, the feather glitters in the Sun light. It is believed that the peacock dances before the rain.

Man domesticates fowls. A few birds are kept as pet birds – Canary, Parrot and Pigeon. In the ancient time pigeons were used to send messages.