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how does a bird fly's |
Birds use their wings to fly by pushing down on the air while the air pushes the bird up. The air passes over and under the wings. Birds have strong breast muscles, which they use to flap their wings. A bird’s wings are hinged to help them flap. On the down stroke, the bird’s wings are extended all the way out. On the upstroke, the wings fold up. Birds fly by gliding, hovering, soaring, and flapping. Other adaptations for flight are lightweight, hollow bones and feathers. They have three kinds of feathers: down feathers, ornamental feathers, and contour feathers. Only the contour feathers are stiff enough to catch the air and help birds to fly. |