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How do birds find worms? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Mmmm, worms! You might not think worms would make a very delicious meal, but plenty of birds think otherwise!
There are a few different things that probably help birds with their worm-searches. One of their most helpful techniques is that birds often look for their worms in the morning or just after it rains. Worms tend to be closer to the surface of the ground at these times, so a hungry bird knows it’s a better time to find fast food!
Even when a worm is close to the surface, birds still need to use their senses to find them among all that dirt. Some experts say a bird’s sight is important, because they rely on spotting a wriggler. Other experts say that birds rely on listening closely for movements they can hear. Others have thought they might use scent or touch. Many also think they use a combination of several senses, with sight and hearing being at the top of the list!
Say what?
Have you ever heard someone say “the early bird gets the worm”? – This well-known phrase is a way of saying that someone who works hard will get what he or she deserves. A saying like that is known as a “proverb.”
What other proverb sayings have you heard or learned? Some good examples are “a stitch in time saves nine,” “every path has a puddle,” and “don't cry over spilled milk”. – Can you guess or figure out what some of these saying mean? Maybe you can even try to make up your own!
There are a few different things that probably help birds with their worm-searches. One of their most helpful techniques is that birds often look for their worms in the morning or just after it rains. Worms tend to be closer to the surface of the ground at these times, so a hungry bird knows it’s a better time to find fast food!
Even when a worm is close to the surface, birds still need to use their senses to find them among all that dirt. Some experts say a bird’s sight is important, because they rely on spotting a wriggler. Other experts say that birds rely on listening closely for movements they can hear. Others have thought they might use scent or touch. Many also think they use a combination of several senses, with sight and hearing being at the top of the list!
Say what?
Have you ever heard someone say “the early bird gets the worm”? – This well-known phrase is a way of saying that someone who works hard will get what he or she deserves. A saying like that is known as a “proverb.”
What other proverb sayings have you heard or learned? Some good examples are “a stitch in time saves nine,” “every path has a puddle,” and “don't cry over spilled milk”. – Can you guess or figure out what some of these saying mean? Maybe you can even try to make up your own!
