Birds play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They often eat insects and are naturally helpful in keeping the ecosystem in its natural way.
In celebration of the National Bird Day, here are some of the bird species you probably did not know about.
1. Catbird
Catbirds are gray in color with a shade of chestnut and often have a bright rusty-colored feather under its tail. They are known for imitating the sound of other bird species and use it to create their own song.
This species may be seen in thickets or vine tangles and loves to eat insects and berries –like the winterberry and serviceberry.
2. Kingfisher bird
Though the Kingfisher population declined in the north over the last century, they are slowly increasing in population in the central and southern England and Scotland, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
They are great fliers and amazing divers as they love eating fish and aquatic insects. Kingfishers are currently protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which gives them extra protection in the United Kingdom to slowdown and eventually stop its deteriorating population.
3. Common Hoopoe
You can easily notice the Common Hoopoe bird thanks to its long curved beak and Mohawk-like ‘do.
They are named Hoopoe after its call, “oop!” This bird has a distinct number of calls: “char” means warning and “tii” means their babies want some food, according to Anna Norris of fromthegrapevine.com.
4. Swift Bird
This aerial bird is as swift as the wind, flies 169 km/h, hence its name. They are superb fliers and loves to snack on flying insects and airborne spiders, according to the RSPB.
They often sleep on their wing, which is super long and scythe-like.
Their name “Swift,” has been derived from a Greek term, which means “footless”. But contrary to its literal name, Swift birds just have tiny feet, but not without legs.
5. Guinea Fowl Bird
Native at Africa, Guinea Fowl birds are known to be among the oldest species of the gallinaceous birds.
They have a dark grey and blackish color with some spots on its body. The Guinea Fowl preys on small insects, but they themselves are often preys themselves in some parts of Africa and Italy.
