There are numerous species of bird found in a wide variety of habitats all around the world. Birds are one of the most thriving groups of animals on the planet as they generally have their habitat (the skies) to themselves.

Birds can be easily distinguished from other animals due to their sharp, pointed beaks, thin legs, wings and feathers covering their bodies. Although all bird species have wings, some are actually flightless animals that only use their wings for balance and not for flying. Where other birds, such as penguins, use their wings for swimming. Birds also have talons that they use for various purposes, including feeding and defending themselves from threats.

Birds are often omnivorous animals, generally eating nearly anything that they can find. Most species of bird survive on a diet primarily consisting on insects and plants such as fruits, nuts, berries and seeds.

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Birds are also distinctive in the fact that they lay eggs in a similar way to other animal groups such as fish and reptiles. Birds often make nests in the trees or on the ground in which to lay their eggs.

Different Types of Birds

There are approximately 10,000 different species of birds on the planet. Birds can be categorized by their habitat, diet, and distribution among other characteristics. The following list includes common bird species that most people are familiar with:

• Owls – There are more than 200 different species of owl throughout the world. Owls can be found in most regions of the world with the exception of the polar ice caps. Owls tend to be solitary and nocturnal birds, hunting for prey at night.
• Parrots – Parrot species, including cockatoos, are a colorful bird living mostly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. There are around 400 different species of parrot, and at least one third are threatened by extinction.
• Finches – Finches are a type of perching bird, also known as passerine, which can be identified by their toe arrangement. Finches inhabit a wide range of habitats, and many species don’t migrate in the winter.
• Falcons – Approximately 40 different bird species make up the genus falco. Falcons are birds of prey and are well known for their vision and speed. The Peregrin falcon is currently the fastest documented bird and animal species on the planet, reaching speeds of up to almost 200 miles per hour.
• Herons – Herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds that primarily eat fish and other aquatic prey. Pollution and habitat destruction have contributed to the decreasing number of heron in the wild.
• Penguins – Penguins are a flightless, aquatic group of bird that are almost exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere. Being highly adapted to life near the water, penguins spend about half of their lives in the sea.

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