Week 3 - The Artful Bird

I did a lot of this assignment on planes and trains as I was traveling this week.  It wasn't ideal for doing the color pencil work. I wish I had more time.  Although I did spend a lot of time on the assignment.  

Here's some basic info.

The barn swallow has long, pointed wings that help it:

• Catch flying bugs like flies, beetles, and mosquitoes while flying
• Make quick turns to chase insects 
•  Fly long distances when it migrates
• Move easily both high in the sky and close to the ground
• Its long, forked tail works with these wings to help it turn quickly while hunting.

Other birds that catch insects in the air have similar wings:

• Other types of swallows have long, pointed wings since they also catch insects while flying
• Swifts, which eat the same kinds of insects, have very similar wings

Here are some examples birds that live in the same places as the barn swallows that and eat different food have different wings:

• Sparrows, that eat seeds from the ground, have shorter, wider wings to help them take off quickly
• Warblers, that pick insects off leaves, have wings made for short flights and hovering

Here are some wing diagrams.

I hope to finish these soon.