There are over 10,000 species of birds on the planet. Each has some unique characteristics and qualities. Some are few centimeters long, some are larger than humans. Here are 20 interesting facts about birds from Bee Hummingbird to Ostrich.
1. The Bee Hummingbirds are the smallest birds on the planet. They are just two inches long and weigh about two grams. The Bee Hummingbirds are found only in the country Cuba.
2. The kiwi bird lays the largest egg in comparison to its body size. A kiwi is capable of laying 100 eggs in its lifetime.
3. The heart rate of a Blue-Throated Hummingbird can reach up to 1,200 beats per minute.
4. Because of a very high metabolism, the average hummingbird eats food – about half of its weight- daily to prevent starvation and maintain its weight.
5. Owls are unable to roll their eyes because of the absence of eyeballs. They turn their entire head to look in different directions.
6. Owls can turn their head 270 degrees (135 degrees in each direction).
7. The oldest known parrot lived for more than 80 years. His name was Cookie. Cookie died in 2016.
8. Owls have unique feathers that make almost no sound while flying. They are so silent that they can fly inches from their prey unnoticeable.
9. The wingspan of wandering Albatross - stretching up to 11 feet - are the largest of any bird on the Earth.
10. The fastest bird in the sky is the Peregrine Falcon. It has been measured at speeds above 200 miles per hour while diving.
11. The largest bird "Ostrich" lays the largest egg of any bird but its egg is smallest in relation to its body.
12. The Sword-billed hummingbird is a species of hummingbird known for its beak which is longer than its body.
13. There are species of birds known to guide humans to beehives, when the honey is taken out from the beehives, these birds start to eat the remaining bee wax and larvae. They are known as Honeyguide birds, named after their unique guidance characteristic.
14. The Emperor Penguins can dive deepest underwater than any other birds. The recorded depth is over 500 meters.
15. The flocks of Red-billed queleas are so large that it, sometimes, can take more than 5 hours to pass overhead.
16. Fulmars seabirds produce a type of oil in the stomach which they use as self-defense against predators by puking the oil on them.
17. A bird named "Puck" is registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the bird with the largest vocabulary in the world" at 1,728 words.
18. The Stomach acid of Turkey Vultures is so strong that they can digest nearly all the disease-causing organisms. They can feed on 5-7 days old dead animals.
19. The highest recorded flying bird is Ruppell's Vulture, which is seen flying over an altitude of 11,000 meters.
20. The Peregrine Falcon kills its prey by striking them with its feet whiling diving over 200 miles an hour.