Wonder world of birds /Unit4/Class - 4

Why Birds Are Important

 (biodiversity/ജൈവവൈവിധ്യം നിലനിർത്തുന്നതിൽ പക്ഷികളുടെ പങ്ക്)

Birds play a very special role in nature. They help keep our environment healthy and balanced 

 Seed Dispersal

   - Birds eat fruits and berries, and when they fly to new places, they drop the seeds through their droppings. This helps new plants grow in different areas, which is important for forests and gardens.

 Pest Control

   - Birds eat insects like mosquitoes, caterpillars, and beetles. This helps farmers and gardeners because it keeps harmful bugs from damaging crops and plants.

By doing these things, birds help sustain biodiversity (the variety of plants and animals in nature). They make sure that plants grow and that the number of insects stays balanced. 

Why House Sparrows Are Disappearing

1. Loss of Nesting Places

    Modern buildings and houses don’t have small holes or spaces where sparrows can build their nests. Old-style houses and trees with holes are disappearing.

2. Less Food

   Sparrows eat small insects and seeds. With more concrete and fewer gardens, there are fewer insects and plants for them to feed on.

3. Pollution

   Air pollution and chemicals from cars and factories can harm sparrows and make it hard for them to survive.

4. Mobile Towers

   Some scientists think that the radiation from mobile towers might confuse sparrows and affect their ability to find food or nests.

5. Pesticides

   Chemicals used in farming and gardens kill insects, which are an important food source for sparrows.

How We Can Help

Plant more trees and gardens to give sparrows food and shelter.

Put up bird feeders and nest boxes in our homes.

 Avoid using harmful chemicals in gardens.

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place, fly backward, and even upside down.

Rose ringed parakeet 

They have strong beaks to crack open nuts and seeds.

  - They are excellent fliers and can live in forests or cities.

  - They are very social and live in noisy flocks.

Bronze winged Jacana

Its long toes help it walk on floating leaves and plants in the water without sinking.

  - It eats insects, seeds, and small creatures found on the water’s surface.

Preying Birds

Preying birds are strong, sharp-eyed hunters like eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. They have sharp claws (called talons) and curved beaks to catch and eat other animals.

How They Help Us

1. Pest Control

   - Preying birds eat rats, mice, and insects, which can harm crops or spread diseases. This helps farmers and keeps our environment clean.

2. Balancing Nature

   - They hunt smaller animals and help control their populations. This keeps nature balanced and healthy.

3. Cleaning the Environment

   - Some preying birds, like vultures, eat dead animals. This helps clean up the environment and stops the spread of diseases.

Preying birds are like nature’s clean-up crew and pest controllers! They play a very important role in keeping our world healthy.