Birds are remarkable for a wide range of exceptional physical abilities, for their seeming intelligence, and for some species their surprising level of rapport with humans. Because humans are so enthralled by them, more time has been spent studying birds than any other living creature. In the small Indian village of Kundha Kulam, birds are inextricably linked to life and death. During monsoon season, masses of birds descend on the village just before the rains arrive. If the birds don t appear, the townspeople know the storms have changed course, leaving crops to die.
Birds can also be some of the fiercest warriors in the animal kingdom.
Its swoop has been clocked at 200 miles per hour. Although the peregrine may be a mighty hunter, even it cannot match the extraordinary abilities of the tiny hummingbird. Armed with thin, stiff wings that rotate at the shoulder, the hummingbird is the only bird that can hover in mid-air. Its flying apparatus is perfectly designed to allow it to drink from the nectar of delicate blossoms while hovering directly in front of them. In fact, some hummingbirds have specially shaped beaks that enable them to feed on particular flowers.