Vocabulary
A word that means “stiff and can break easily.”
Brittle
Name one job feathers do for birds besides flying.
keeping warm (insulation), camouflage, or attracting mates
Why do birds in cold areas have fluffy down feathers?
: to stay warm and survive the cold
Compare down feathers and contour feathers.
down feathers keep birds warm; contour feathers shape the bird and help with waterproofing
short and rough Tiny, stiff hair-like structures on birds.
bristle
Which bird uses its feathers to attract a mate with bright colors?
peacock
: If a bird has very colorful feathers, what might that mean?
it uses them to attract a mate
Which type of feather is most important for a penguin swimming in cold water? Why?
down feather, because they provide insulation to keep the penguin warm in icy water
refers to two or more people, places, or things.
plural nouns
How do feathers help birds in water?
glide, float, or swim efficiently
If a feather is brittle, why might it be a problem for the bird?
it could break and make flying or moving harder
What can studying a bird’s feather system tell scientists about that bird’s lifestyle?
It can show how the bird stays warm, finds food, avoids predators, or attracts mates.
How would you spell branch in plural form?
Name two types of feathers mentioned in the book.
down feathers, contour feathers, flight feathers, or bristle feathers
Why do you think birds have different types of feathers?
to survive in different environments or perform different tasks
If a bird loses some of its feathers, how could that affect it?
It could have trouble staying warm, flying, swimming, or attracting a mate, depending on which feathers are lost.