Bird
Description
A warm-blooded, bipedal, egg-laying vertebrates of the class Aves. Birds are found worldwide and normally have toothless beaks, feathers, winged-forelimbs, and hollow bones. They range in size from the tiny hummingbirds to the large Ostrich. Some birds, such as poultry (Chicken, ducks, Turkey, etc.) have been domesticated and are raised for their eggs and meat. Feathers from several types of bird have been used for decoration, writing instruments (Quill) and for filling mattresses and pillows (Down). Some birds, such as pigeons, starlings, and sparrows, are considered pests because they congregate in populated areas producing debris and deleterious droppings (Guano). Numerous Deterrent methods such as nets, spikes, wires, gels, plastic owls, electric shocks, along with many types of mechanical and ultrasonic devices are being used with moderate success. See also Condor, Owl, Hawk, Eagle, Heron, Flamingo, Kingfisher, Peacock, Crow, and Sea gull.
Synonyms and Related Terms
bird droppings; pests
Additional Images
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "bird." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service 18 Mar. 2005 .
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird