Did You Know That ? Encyclopedia of Curious and Interesting Facts

to cool down – охладиться

flapping – хлопанье

increasing airflow – увеличение потока воздуха

trunk – хобот

grabbing – хватание

tools – инструменты

solve problems – решать проблемы

clearings – поляны

spread seeds – распространять семена

threats – угрозы

habitat loss – потеря среды обитания

poaching – браконьерство

decrease – уменьшение

generations – поколения

QUESTIONS:

What are some of the distinctive physical features of African elephants?

How do African elephants use their trunks?

Describe the social behavior of African elephants.

How are African elephants intelligent?

What is the importance of African elephants to the ecosystem?

What are the threats facing African elephants?

How do African elephants communicate with each other?

What is the role of the matriarch in an elephant family group?

How do elephants help to control the growth of plants in the forest?

Why is poaching a major threat to African elephants?

What are some conservation efforts that are underway to protect African elephants?

Fact 11. Did you know that the smallest bird is the hummingbird?

These tiny creatures are fascinating to watch, with their bright colors, rapid wingbeats, and ability to hover in mid-air.

Physical Features

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with some species being only about the size of a bumblebee. They have long, thin beaks and tongues that they use to suck nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds also have beautiful, iridescent feathers that shimmer and change color in the light.

Flight and Hovering

Hummingbirds are amazing flyers. They can fly forward, backward, up, down, and even upside down. Their wings beat so fast that they make a humming sound, which is how they got their name. Hummingbirds are also the only birds that can hover in mid-air, which allows them to feed on flowers without having to land.

Diet and Feeding

Hummingbirds eat mostly nectar from flowers. They use their long, thin beaks and tongues to reach deep into flowers and suck out the sweet liquid. Hummingbirds also eat insects and spiders, which give them protein and other nutrients.

Importance to the Ecosystem

Hummingbirds are important pollinators. They help to transfer pollen from one flower to another, which helps plants to make seeds. Hummingbirds also help to control insect populations.

Threats and Conservation

Hummingbirds are facing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Conservationists are working to protect hummingbirds and their habitats.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem. Their beauty, flight abilities, and importance to the environment make them a joy to watch and appreciate.

WORDLIST:

hummingbird – колибри

creatures – создания

fascinating – увлекательный

rapid wingbeats – быстрые взмахи крыльев

ability to hover in mid-air – способность зависать в воздухе

species – виды

bumblebee – шмель

beaks – клювы

suck – сосать