Fast Facts
Cedar County Conservation Board
Fast Fact topic is:
Birds
  • What makes a bird different than all the
    other animals?  Answer = feathers.  Birds
    are the only animals that have feathers.
  • A bird's feathers also helps to keep it warm
    by providing insulation.  
  • One of the best insulators for coats is often
    goose down = special, fluffy goose feathers.
  • Most birds have hollow bones!  But why?  
    Birds have hollow bones so they can fly
    easier.  
  • Ever been called a bird brain?  Well birds,
    such as owls, have huge eyes to gather as
    much light as possible, so they can see at
    night.  Well those giant eyes come at a
    price, its brain!  Owl eyes take up so much
    room in their head, there is not much room
    left in their skull for their brains.  So owls
    actually have small brains!  
  • Birds need lots of energy to stay alive
    during Iowa's harsh winters.  But you can
    help!  Slather some peanut butter on your
    tree and watch as certain birds gather to
    partake in your generosity.
  • You can also feed birds cooked spaghetti
    noodles, stale popcorn, or even some old
    bread.  
  • Birds also need grit to grind their food in
    their gizzard.  Winter grit is very hard to find
    since the snow and ice often cover it.  You
    can put a small pile of sand by your feeder
    to help the birds with this necessary dietary
    requirement.      
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