Page 41 - Primary Six Notes

The ways in which birds are adapted for flying

1. They are streamlined to reduce friction so that they can

move through air easily.

2. Their bodies are covered with flight feathers.

3. They have strong attachment of their powerful and strong

front muscles which are used for moving wings

4. They have a nictitating membrane which cover the eye and

protect them against moving air during flight.

5. They have hallow bones which reduce weight and their back
bones are fused (joined) to give them rigidity.

6. They have a quick digestive system
7. Their fore limbs are modified into wings

8. They have no pinna to abstract the flow of air.

9. They have good eye sight to see well from long distances and

judge the distance accurately

Some domestic fowls are unable to fly high because they have

bone marrow which make them heavy.

Advantages of birds

 They are source of food

 They are source of income. Wild birds attract tourists while

domestic birds are for livestock farming.

 The feathers are raw materials for decoration, clothing and

bags. Bones are used for making glue.

 Some birds kept for cultural purposes.

 Some birds pollinate flowers like the sunbirds, they pollinate

when collecting nectar.

 Some help to clean our environment like the vultures, craws

and marabou stocks.