Fun Facts

Where Birds Live
With their adaptations for flight and feeding, birds are able to live all over the world. They range from the freezing Poles to the baking deserts, and from rushing rivers to steamy jungles. Flight has given them the mobility to exploit a wide variety of food supplies and habitats. Being warm-blooded, they also have the advantage of maintaining a constant body temperature and staying active whatever the weather.

Antarctica - The 16 species of penguin all live in the Southern Hemisphere. Six species, including Emperor Penguins, are even found in Antarctica itself, despite the extremely cold temperatures and wind. Emperors are the largest of all penguin species. They grow to about three feet tall.

The Tropics - About two thirds of all species of birds live in the world's tropical rain forests. They include trogons and parrots. Rain forest birds are often brightly colored.

Desert - Roadrunners live in the North & Central American deserts. They rarely fly, but can race at great speeds after their prey - insects, lizards, and snakes. They survive the scorching heat of the desert by staying in the shade until dusk, when the air and ground cool off.

Mountains - Some birds of prey, like the golden eagle, soar above high mountains. They glide on rising currents of air, keeping a lookout for prey below. They nest on cliff faces where they can raise their eaglets, protected from predators.