Why birds fly (how to explain to a child 3-5 years old)

Watching the amazing wildlife, kids can not understand how birds fly. It seems strange to young researchers that these feathered creatures soar in the air and do not fall down. How can mom and dad explain to his curious baby why birds can fly? Let's start in order.

• Bird structure

It will be convenient if the parents have at hand an illustrated encyclopedia. Otherwise, you will have to draw a bird by hand, so that the baby can clearly see what it consists of and what structure it has.

Today, there are more than 9000 species of various birds. All of them have a similar structure, adapted for flight, and differ only in some features.

It is believed that birds evolved from small dinosaurs. Previously, these were predatory creatures that had strong hind legs and undeveloped forelimbs. Hunting for flying insects, these dinosaurs had to push off the ground with their powerful legs, and capture prey with short limbs. The scales turned into feathers over time, and the tail was significantly reduced in size and covered with long feathers. Transforming gradually, such dinosaurs learned to fly.

• Wings

The wings of birds are arranged in such a way that they serve as some “delimiter” of air pressure. Above the wing - one pressure, under the wing - another. Due to this difference, a lifting force is generated. It is this force that allows birds to soar in the air.

• Feathers

Bird feathers are very light and hollow inside (“empty”). Feathers are very durable and heat resistant. They are covered with special grease, thanks to which they do not get wet in the rain. The feathers stacked on top of each other to form a uniformly laid layer that follows the contours of their body. This layer protects birds from hypothermia and serves as a protector from the harmful effects of the environment (wind, damp, overheating).

Because of the feather cover, the birds have a smooth and streamlined shape, due to which there is no resistance to air. And this allows them to fly freely and regulate the direction of their flight.

• Bones

The bones of the birds are light but quite strong. There are walls on the bones that, like the feathers, are hollow inside. For this reason, birds are very light in weight. Thanks to the light skeleton and developed muscles of the main muscles of the bird, they can be kept in flight for a long time.

• Breath

To fly, birds need a large amount of oxygen. For its placement in their body (in addition to the lungs), special air bags are provided. First, the bird inhales air, then air enters the lungs through the bronchioles, then into the air sacs. "Returning" back, the air again passes through the lungs, forming a second gas exchange. This process is called "double breathing." It allows the birds to have in stock the necessary amount of oxygen to complete the flight.

• Tail

For birds, the tail is a kind of mechanism that acts as a brake and rudder in flight.

• Cardiac and circulatory system

Birds have a rather large heart for their size, which provides excellent blood circulation in the vessels (heart rate reaches 1000 beats per minute). For this reason, birds have a high body temperature and a very fast metabolism. That is why birds need to eat well. Explain to your baby that feeding birds in winter is very important. Winter is a period when it is very difficult for them to get food on their own, and they can die.

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The theme of birds should become aroused in the child's interest in studying their life and a desire to help them survive in harsh climate conditions. When talking with a child about a topic that interests him, try to answer clearly, clearly, and in a language accessible to him. Your answer should interest the child, encourage him to study this world even more actively.

Newsreel "I want to know everything." Why do birds fly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8OFblooNzg