vol. 3, issue 2birds — like eagles and hawks — have long, broad wings. forest birds — such as...

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BIRDS ARE EVERYWHERE!o matter what the season of the year or wherewe live, we can always find birds. They wake us

up early on a spring morning and can be heard inthe darkness of the night.It’s amazing how many

different kinds of birds are found inNew Hampshire! More than 187 types ofbirds nest here, and an additional 80

species spend some time hereduring the year.

So let’s explore the worldof New Hampshire’sbirds!

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bird’s home is called its “habitat.” Birds — like all animals — livein places that provide them food, water, shelter and space to mate

and raise their young. Some birds find everything they need all yearright here in New Hampshire. These are the birds we see at the feederin the winter and in our backyards during the summer. We recognizethem by their color and patterns. You will hear their songs from latewinter through summer.

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migratory bird travels from one place to another in search offood. Some species migrate long distances, while others migrate

just a short way. Long-distance migratory birds breed in the United Statesand Canada and winter in Mexico, Central and South America and theCaribbean. In spring and fall, they travel between these locations,sometimes flying up to 5,000 miles to get where they’re going!

Storms, tall buildings, windows, predators and pollutants canmake it a tough trip for migratory birds. The greatest threat,however, is loss of habitat, because traveling birds need safeplaces to feed and rest along the way.


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ll birds grow feathers, making birds differentfrom all other animals. Birds have several

different types of feathers…from stiff contourfeathers that cover the wings and body to fluffydown feathers that help keep them warm. Feathersgrow just like our hair.

All birds have wings attached to powerful chestmuscles. Streamlined like airplane wings, they letthe bird zip through the air easily. The type of flyinga bird does dependson the size

and shape of its wings. For example, large soaringbirds — like eagles and hawks — have long, broadwings. Forest birds — such as owls and songbirds— have short, broad wings for flying among treesand branches.

Birds have a strong but lightweight skeleton. Itallows them to be light enough to get off the groundand stay in the air, while supporting the flightmuscles and protecting their internal organs.

Most birds can see better than other animals.They have large eyes that can focus both on nearand far objects. Unlike many mammals, birds cansee color. Birds’ eyes can focus independently, sothey can see two different images at the same time.

Birds’ ears are just about invisible. They aresmall holes covered with feathers, located on eachside of the head, just below and in back of the eyes.

Owls have especially good hearing, which helpsthem locate their prey.

The kind of beak a bird has dependson what kinds of food it eats. For

example, birds of prey have largebeaks to tear meat, while songbirdshave smaller beaks for catchinginsects. Birds use their beaks togather food, drink water, preen theirfeathers, scratch, attack enemiesand feed their young. Like beaks,

bird tongues come in all sizes andshapes. They are used to taste, spear, hold and

tear food.A special oil gland is located above the base

of the tail on most birds. This gland secretes the oilthat the bird uses to clean its feathers. In somecases, this oil helps to make the feathers morewaterproof.

Birds don’t have teeth, so food is swallowedand then stored in a “crop.” The crop is a large sacat the bottom of the esophagus, before the stomach.When food passes from the crop into the stomach,strong acids are secreted to help digest the food.The partially digested food passes into the gizzard,where this strong muscle grinds and crushes hardfood.

This immature sharp-shinned hawk is armed with a razorsharp beak for tearing apart its prey. It is also equippedwith powerful talons (claws) to hold onto its meal.


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This program receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Actof 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U.S.Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discriminationon the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion

or sex (in educational programs). If you believe that you have beendiscriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you

desire additional information, please write to:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOffice for Diversity and Civil Rights Programs – External Affairs

4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 130Arlington, VA 22203

Wild Times for Kids is published twice a year by the NewHampshire Fish & Game Department. Multiple copies areavailable for school and youth groups upon request. Sendyour request to:

NH Fish and Game Department /Public Affairs Division2 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301

603-271-3211www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

©2003 N.H. Fish & Game Dept.

After reading the stories inside this issue, first see if you can identify the six birds above.Then, match each bird with the winter home it migrates to on the map.

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A._______________________________migrates to destination number___________.

B._______________________________migrates to destination number___________.

C._______________________________migrates to destination numbers__________.

D._______________________________migrates to destination numbers__________.

E._______________________________migrates to destination number___________.

F._______________________________migrates to destination numbers__________.

Conserving New Hampshire's wildlifeand their habitats for over a century.

ANSWERS TO MIGRATION MADNESS

A. Rufous-sided towhee migrates to 5.

B. Black-throated blue warbler migrates to 4.

C. Ovenbird migrates to 3 and 4.

D. Baltimore oriole migrates to 1, 3 and 4.

E. Tree swallow migrates to 2.

B. Ruby-throated hummingbird migrates to 1 and 3.






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vol. 3, issue 2birds — like eagles and hawks — have long, broad wings. forest birds — such as...

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