Birds

The undisputed masters of the skies, birds have evolved numerous adaptations for flight, including front-limbs modified into wings, powerful muscles, hollow bones, and, most distinctively, feathers. Although most are able to fly, some birds, such as ostriches, penguins and kakapos, are characterised by greatly reduced wings and have foregone the power of flight. All members of this warm-blooded vertebrate group reproduce by laying eggs. Of the world’s c. 10,000 bird species, 12 percent are threatened with extinction.

Explore ARKive for videos and images of endangered birds, and learn about bird conservation, biology and more in our species fact-files.