What Is a Bird?

Everyone knows birds. We see them every day. Most of you probably saw a bird this morning on the way to school. But what makes a bird a bird? What are the distinguishing characteristics that let you separate birds from other animals? Pretend you are being visited by a Martian who has no concept of what a bird is. How would you describe a bird?

Take this short quiz to see how much you know about birds.

Only birds have feathers
True

False

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Only birds can fly
True

False

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Birds are only the warm-blooded animals (that would be a more technical way of phrasing it)
True

False

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Only birds have scales
True

False

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Birds are the only animals that build nests
True

False

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Birds are the only animals that lay eggs
True

False

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Birds are the only animals with a beak
True

False

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All birds have beaks
True

False

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All birds can fly
True

False

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All birds have wings
True

False

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Birds are the only animals with claws
True

False

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All birds lay eggs
True

False