There are many bird species on Earth, with estimates ranging from 9,000 to 10,000 species across over 227 bird families. Birds vary in size and color, from grey pigeons to colorful parrots and from large Ostriches to tiny Bee Hummingbirds.
Birds are divided into different types, such as flightless birds like the Emu, wading birds like the Heron, and swimming birds like the Penguin. Below is a summary of bird groups and species on our planet.
<h3>What is a bird?</h3>
Birds are lightweight animals that evolved from dinosaurs around 150 to 200 million years ago. Scientists believe birds are the only surviving dinosaurs after a mass extinction event about 65.5 million years ago.
Birds are warm-blooded animals with feathers that keep them warm and help them fly. They have a four-chambered heart.
Birds walk on two legs and have wings for flying or flippers for swimming, like Penguins. Not all birds with wings can fly; for example, the Ostrich and Emu cannot fly.
Birds lay eggs that are incubated outside their bodies. They have beaks of various shapes and sizes, and their toes also vary. Some birds have four toes, while others, like Ostriches, have only two. Birds maintain a higher body temperature than most other warm-blooded animals.
Birds make sounds using a special voice box called a syrinx. Different birds make different sounds, from short calls to long songs. Some birds can even mimic human speech.