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The tiniest bird is the bee hummingbird. It is only a little more than 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. It weighs less than a dime!
There are about 10,000 kinds of birds. Scientists have different ways of grouping birds. One way to group them is by how and where they live.Some birds live in water or get most of their food from water. The albatross and shearwater are birds that live over the ocean far away from land. They can even drink salt water. Loons, ducks, geese, gulls, pelicans, puffins, and penguins are also birds that live on or near water.Some birds live on beaches or shores. They are called wading birds because they have long legs for wading into water to catch fish or other animals. Herons, storks, ibises, spoonbills, and flamingos are large wading birds.
Many kinds of birds have only one mate. First, a male bird has to get the attention of a female bird. Some males show off their beautiful feathers. Male songbirds sing to attract females.Most female birds lay their eggs in nests to protect them and keep them warm. Some kinds of birds build big, fancy nests. Eagles build huge nests of sticks. Many birds use holes in trees for nests.
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