Birds are vertebrates and are characterized by having a body covering of feathers. As with all species of chordata such as mammals and reptiles they have internal skeletons made up of bone or cartilage with two pairs of limbs. One pair has developed into wings enabling most species of birds to fly.
Birds occur in a wide range of habitats from deserts to the open oceans and have adapted their behaviours accordingly.
Most birds build nests and all lay eggs and bring the young up to adulthood.
Birds feed on a wide range of foods from krill through seeds to small antelope. Martial eagles have been observed killing adult impala but have also been seen feeding on termites.