When doing bird presentations, particularly to children, I sometimes start asking the question above. Of course, I hope for a response along the lines of “They can fly”, by which time I show the picture heading this post.
So, what are the real characteristics then – the ones that make birds unique? The most important of all is Feathers. Also, it is the only one that is really unique to them. But that would be a rather short post – so I will also talk about some other characteristics that are shared with other animals.
Having feathers for insulation also allows birds to be warm-blooded (like mammals, which use other ways of insulation).
Another characteristic is a Beak – the lightweight alternative to teeth.
All living bird species have Wings, even though some birds cannot fly (anymore).
Birds lay hard-shelled Eggs.
And finally, birds have a strong but lightweight Skeleton.
Birds also have a pass-through breathing system which is very effective at getting oxygen from the air, unlike the cul-de-sac system mammals use. Birds breathe with their bones… Non-avian dinosaurs likely had a similar system.
Hmmm. Try explaining a “pass through breating system” to a 8 year old kid! 😉
Easy James: show it! My biology teacher had these contraptions with balloons and such. I still remember after decades.