DAV Class 4 Science Chapter 5 Question Answer
Birds: Beaks and Claws
Introduction
Birds are beautiful creatures found in different parts of the world. Different birds have different types of beaks and feet. The shape of a bird's beak and the type of its claws or feet help it to get food, move around, protect itself and live in its surroundings.
Let us learn about the different types of beaks and claws of birds through these questions and answers.
Something to Know
Birds do not have teeth. They use their beaks to pick, catch, crush, tear or suck their food. Different birds have different types of beaks according to the food they eat.
Birds also have different types of feet and claws. These help them in walking, climbing, scratching, swimming, catching prey and picking food.
A. Fill in the Blanks
1. Birds do not have ________ to eat food.
Answer: Teeth
Explanation: Birds do not have teeth. They use their beaks to take and eat food.
2. Sunbird ________ nectar from flowers.
Answer: Sucks
Explanation: A sunbird has a beak suited for taking nectar from flowers. It sucks nectar with the help of its beak.
3. A duck has ________ and broad beak.
Answer: Flat
Explanation: A duck has a flat and broad beak that helps it to pick and sift food.
4. A penguin uses its webbed feet to ________.
Answer: Swim
Explanation: The webbed feet of a penguin help it to move through water and swim.
5. ________ and jacana are wading birds.
Answer: Crane
Explanation: Crane and jacana are wading birds. Their long legs and wide-spreading toes help them walk in water without sinking easily.
B. Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Sunbird | (d) Probing beak |
| 2. Eagle | (g) Piercing and tearing beak |
| 3. Parrot | (e) Curved beak |
| 4. Duck | (a) Sifting beak |
| 5. Swallow | (b) Sticky beak |
| 6. Woodpecker | (c) Chiselling beak |
| 7. Pigeon | (f) Crushing beak |
Answers
- Sunbird — (d) Probing beak
- Eagle — (g) Piercing and tearing beak
- Parrot — (e) Curved beak
- Duck — (a) Sifting beak
- Swallow — (b) Sticky beak
- Woodpecker — (c) Chiselling beak
- Pigeon — (f) Crushing beak
C. Tick (✓) the Correct Option
1. A sparrow uses its short and hard beak for
(a) sucking nectar from flowers
(b) sifting food from mud
(c) catching flies while flying
(d) crushing the grains
Answer: ✓ (d) crushing the grains
Explanation: A sparrow has a short and hard beak that helps it crush grains.
2. A hoopoe takes out insects and worms from the holes in the ground with the help of its
(a) strong, short and straight beak
(b) long and slender beak
(c) broad beak that has holes on the sides
(d) curved and hard beak
Answer: ✓ (b) long and slender beak
Explanation: The long and slender beak of a hoopoe helps it take out insects and worms from holes in the ground.
3. A bird, that does not have strong and sharp claws, is the
(a) eagle
(b) duck
(c) vulture
(d) hawk
Answer: ✓ (b) duck
Explanation: A duck has webbed feet rather than strong, sharp claws used for catching prey.
4. Birds, that have two toes pointing upwards and two downwards, are known as
(a) scratching birds
(b) wading birds
(c) climbing birds
(d) perching birds
Answer: ✓ (c) climbing birds
Explanation: Climbing birds have two toes pointing upwards and two downwards. This arrangement helps them climb and hold tree trunks.
5. It is a perching bird.
(a) sparrow
(b) jacana
(c) hen
(d) duck
Answer: ✓ (a) sparrow
Explanation: Sparrow is a perching bird. Its feet help it grip branches and perch on them.
D. Answer the Following Questions in Brief
1. What do birds use for preening their feathers?
Answer: Birds use their beaks for preening their feathers.
Explanation: Birds use their beaks to clean and arrange their feathers.
2. How is crushing beak helpful to a pigeon?
Answer: A pigeon uses its crushing beak to crush grains and make them soft. This makes the grains easier to digest.
3. What are claws?
Answer: The long, curved nails present on the feet of birds are called claws.
4. Name three birds of prey.
Answer: Eagle, vulture and hawk are three birds of prey.
5. What prevents the body of crane and jacana from sinking in water?
Answer: The long legs and wide-spreading toes prevent the body of crane and jacana from sinking in water.
E. Answer the Following Questions
1. Write two main uses of a beak of a bird.
Answer: Two main uses of a bird's beak are:
- Catching food
- Preening feathers
Explanation: Birds use their beaks to catch or pick up food. They also use them to clean and arrange their feathers.
2. How are claws helpful to a bird?
Answer: Birds use their claws for walking, climbing, scratching and picking food.
Explanation: Different birds have different types of claws and feet according to the work they need to do.
3. How does a swallow catch its food?
Answer: The beak of a swallow is sticky from inside. Therefore, it can catch flies while flying.
4. How do webbed feet help a duck to swim?
Answer: The webbed feet of a duck act like oars. They push the water backward and help the duck move forward while swimming.
5. What type of feet do the scratching birds have?
Answer: Scratching birds have strong feet with three toes in front and one at the back. Each toe has a sharp claw that helps them scratch the ground in search of seeds and insects.
Example: Hen.
Value-Based Questions
1. What kind of good habits does Neha have?
Answer: Neha does not like to spoil the environment. She does not throw trash around and wants to keep her surroundings clean.
Value: We should always keep our surroundings clean and avoid littering.
2. Why is it important for all of us to keep our environment clean?
Answer: A dirty environment looks unpleasant and can attract germs that cause diseases. Therefore, it is important for everyone to keep the environment clean.
3. How do vultures help in cleaning the environment? What kind of beaks do these birds have?
Answer: Vultures eat dead animals. In this way, they help clean the environment. Vultures have piercing and tearing beaks.
Important Points to Remember
- Birds do not have teeth.
- Birds use their beaks for different purposes.
- Different birds have different types of beaks.
- Birds use their beaks for catching food and preening.
- Claws are long, curved nails present on the feet.
- Webbed feet help birds such as ducks swim.
- Long legs and wide-spreading toes help wading birds walk in water.
- Scratching birds have strong feet with sharp claws.
- Vultures help keep the environment clean by eating dead animals.
Conclusion
Birds have special beaks, feet and claws that help them survive in their surroundings. The shape of a bird's beak depends on the type of food it eats, while its feet and claws help it perform different activities such as walking, climbing, swimming, scratching and catching food. Understanding these adaptations helps us appreciate the wonderful variety of birds around us.
