Establish the chapter's one big rule: the shape of a bird's beak and claws follows the food it eats.
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The chapter's photographs of common birds eating grain on the ground
Different birds often visit our neighbourhoods to peck at grains and seeds scattered on the ground.
Birds eat without teeth, and beak shape follows the food they eat
In Class-III, we already learnt about birds, their special features, and their nesting habits. In this class, we will focus on their feeding habits. Birds, like other living beings, need food to survive, but they do not have teeth to eat their food.
The chapter's activity recording birds, places and the food they ate
Take a moment to watch the birds around your home or school. Identify a common bird, see where it hangs out, and try to notice what kind of food it is eating. Then, fill out this observation record.
Identify the bird you observed.
Where exactly was the bird spending its time?
What was the bird feeding on?
Beaks tear, bite, chisel and crush, and also fight, catch prey and preen
Since birds do not have teeth, they use their beaks to tear, bite, chisel, or crush their food. The specific shape of the beak is always according to the food habit of the bird.
Two items on what birds use instead of teeth and on preening
Birds, like other living beings, need food to survive, but they do not have to eat their food. Instead, they use their beaks and claws to catch, tear, and crush their meals. The shape of a bird's beak is exactly suited to its food habits. Beaks are also used for other important daily tasks besides eating. For example, birds use their beaks to carefully clean their feathers and set them right. This essential grooming process is called .