Curlie

Birds

Around 150 million years ago, flying dinosaurs called Pterosaurs began to change (evolve) and develop feathers. This is where scientists believe Birds, as we know them, got their start. Over thousands and thousands of years, there have been thousands and thousands of bird types. Many have become extinct. Others have evolved into one of the 9,000 species of birds that now live on our planet. Birds have learned to live almost everywhere on Earth. From freezing arctic areas to tropical islands and everywhere in between, there are native birds and birds that just come for a visit. Around the world, many of these native birds are endangered. Changes like global warming, pollution, and more humans building more buildings, are destroying the places where they live and feed.

All sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens, ages 3 to 18, and provide information on or about Birds.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites about specific birds (chickens, ducks, sparrows, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory. If there is no subcategory, please submit it here with a note [no subcat] for the editor.

Chickens

All sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens, and provide information on or about chickens.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Cranes

Cranes are large to very large birds, with long legs and necks, streamlined bodies, and rounded wings. The 15 species live in wetlands and grasslands around the world, except South America. Some migrate; others do not.

The smallest is the Demoiselle Crane; the largest, the Sarus Crane, is the world's tallest flying bird.

Within the crane family are two groups.

Crowned Cranes have tawny crests on their heads, prehensile toes that let them roost in trees, and are found only in Africa.
Typical Cranes tolerate colder weather, nest on the ground, and can be found around the world.

Sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens, and provide information on or about cranes.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Doves and Pigeons

Birds in this group, Columbiformes include doves, pigeons, dodos, and solitaires.

All sites submitted to the category must be designed for use by kids and teens and provide information on or about doves, pigeons, and their relatives.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites about specific shorebirds (dodos, solitaires, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory.

more information (editors only)

Kingfishers

There are many species of kingfishers on several continents.

Parrots and Cockatoos

All sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens, and provide information on or about budgerigars or budgies.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

more information (editors only)

Penguins

Information about penguins, a bird usually associated with Antarctica but found in other regions, too.

Raptors

Raptors are meat-eating birds, also called birds of prey, that have keen eyesight, 8 sharp talons, and a hooked beak. There are more than 450 kinds of raptors. About 300, like falcons, are active during the day (diurnal) and over 150, such as owls, hunt at night (nocturnal). Most raptors live in tall trees and other high places. Some birds have learned to live with humans and have their nests on tall buildings in big cities.

All sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens and provide information on or aboutraptors, in general.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites providing information about specific raptors (eagles, hawks, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory.

Ratites

Ratites are birds in the order Struthioniformes who are unable to fly.

Birds in this group include cassowaries, emus, kiwis, moas, ostrich, and rheas.

All sites submitted to the category must be designed for use by kids and teens and provide information on or about ratites.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites about specific ratites (emus, rheas, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory.

more information (editors only)

Shorebirds

Shorebirds are a group of birds that live on beaches, grasslands, and wetlands. They often have long bills, legs, and toes that help with wading in the water. Because many build their nests in the sand, most have earth-colored feathers to help them hide.

Birds in this group include plovers, oystercatchers, curlews, avocets, stilts, and sandpipers. They are migratory birds, which means they travel to different places when the weather changes.

As global warming, pollution, and oil spills damage wetlands and beaches, shorebirds are becoming endangered. Because they travel long distances, any area along their path that is destroyed affects the birds.

All sites submitted to the category must be designed for use by kids and teens and provide information on or about shorebirds.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites about specific shorebirds (plovers, stilts, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory.

Songbirds

Birds classified in the order Passeriformes are often called "songbirds." They also are called "perching birds." This group includes many of the familiar birds of woodlands, yards, and gardens. Not all "Songbirds" are known for pretty songs.

Wading Birds

Wading birds are part of a larger group called Colonial-nesting waterbirds. These birds all gather in colonies at nesting time and get most or all of their food from the water.

Herons, egrets, bitterns, spoonbills, and storks are all members of this group. What makes them different than seabirds is that they feed in fresh water.

As global warming and pollution damage wetlands and beaches, wading birds are becoming endangered. Because they migrate long distances, any area along their path that is destroyed affects the birds.

All sites submitted to the category must be designed for use by kids and teens and provide information on or about wading birds.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Sites about specific wading birds (storks, egrets, etc.) should be submitted to the appropriate subcategory.

more information (editors only)

Waterfowl

All sites submitted to this category must be designed for use by kids and teens, and provide information on or about ducks.

Websites designed for parents or teachers, or to sell products or services, will not be accepted.

Woodpeckers

There are several species of woodpecker in many countries.