Back to: PRIMARY SIX SCIENCE LESSON NOTES
ADAPTATIONS OF BIRDS TO THEIR MODE OF LIFE
Adaptation means the features that make an organism suit a characteristic or behavior.
Adaptation of birds to their mode of life include:
Their front limbs are modified into wings for easy flight.
Most have hollowed bones to reduce their body weight for easy flying.
They have a stream lined body to overcome viscosity during flight.
They have no pinna to obstruct the flow of air on flight.
Their bodies are covered with feathers to provide warmth and colour to the bird.
They have a nictitating membrane which protects their eyes against foreign bodies into the eye on flight.
Advantages of birds to people
Birds provide people with meat and eggs as food.
Some birds such as sun bird help in plant pollination. Some birds (scavengers) help to keep the environment clean Domestic birds are a source of income once sold.
Disadvantages of birds in the environment.
Many birds spoil farmer’s crops i.e getting raw materials to make their nests, feed on crops etc.
Birds cause noise pollution especially weaver birds in the environment.
Bird feathers keep vectors to human health like fleas and mites.
Learners’ Activity
- State any four ways in which birds are adapted to their mode of life
- In four sentences state the importance of birds to people 3) State how birds can be dangerous in our environment