GRADE FIVE SCIENCE
Hello Boys and Girls, Have you been working well over the past week? Did you treat your mother very well on Mother’s Day? Do continue to work hard and remember the importance of revision. REVISE!
This week we will continue our investigation of birds. Let’s take a closer look at their feathers. There are many colourful, different types of feathers on birds. What are the functions of their feathers? Try to remember, if not, find out.
Feathers protect birds from water and cold temperatures. They may also be plucked to line the nest and provide insulation to the eggs and young. The individual feathers in the wings and tail play important roles in controlling the flight of the birds.
The strong and ridged contour feathers shield birds from wind. The tough material they are made from, (beta-keratin), is resistant to water and to wearand-tear. Darker-coloured feathers might also provide protection from the sun. Feathers also work to keep water out, keeping birds dry in the rain.
How do birds use their feathers? Feathers make birds unique animals. Which other animal has feathers? Remember birds are the only animals covered with feathers.
Let’s look at a few ways in which birds use their feathers. Feathers for flying are very strong and stiff. These feathers are found on the wings of birds.
Help keep them warm Downy feathers as well as semiplume feathers are able to trap air close to the bird’s body to help keep it warm. They arrange their feathers to trap more air or less air. If you see birds fluffing their feathers in the cold, that is their way of adding extra air to trap body heat and stay warmer. Protection from wind, moisture and sun The strong and ridged contour feathers shield birds from wind. The tough material they are made from, beta-keratin, is water and wear resistant. Darkercolored feathers might also provide protection from the sun. Feathers also help to keep water out, keeping birds dry in the rain.
Swimming and diving Some birds use their half-spread out wings in a flying motion to swim in water. Penguins have developed their wings into stiff, flat flippers that make penguins great swimmers.
Floating Using the trapped air in downy feathers, water birds like ducks can float on water as well as add protection from cold water. Bracing When not flying, many birds use their tail feathers as supports when on the ground or climbing the sides of trees such as is seen with woodpeckers.
Making sounds We think of bird sounds either as songs or calls, but using their feathers, some birds are able to make many different sounds like humming, drumming, and whistling.
Muffling sounds Birds that hunt at night like owls are able to use their wings to muffle their own sounds as they approach their prey. You can think of them as an early stealth fighter plane.
Foraging (looking for food) Some birds, like herons that hunt for fish in the water of lakes and streams, will sometimes use their feathers to form an umbrella over their heads. This might make it easier for them to see fish in the water.
Helping to keep a steady supply of food Hummingbirds help to pollinate flowers when foraging for sweet nectar when the feathers around their heads pick up pollen from a flower. As they continue looking for more nectar, the pollen is then transferred to other flowers.
Until next week when we will look at the beaks and feet of birds, goodbye Boys and Girls!