It’s not just what they do for the places they live in, it’s what they do for us as people.

By Jonathan Franzen,
bird-watcher and novelist
Photographs by Joel Sartore

National Geographic PHOTOARK by Joel Sartore

Australian finches

National Geographic PHOTOARK Joel Sartore

National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore is working to photograph every animal in captivity. This project is called the National Geographic Photo Ark.

Before you read

Human Journey

Communication

As you read, think about what the writer’s main ideas are.

07/06/2024 23:13:07

For most of my life, I didn’t think about birds.

Now, I do. People ask me why birds are important to me. I shake my head. It’s like asking me to explain why I love my brothers. Yet, it’s a good question. Why do birds matter?

There are birds in every country. They are found everywhere.

Penguins lay their eggs in Antarctica. Sparrows build nests in city traffic lights. Swifts live in caves by the sea. Flamingos go fishing in lakes.

Long necks help American flamingos search for food in lakes.

07/07/2024 01:22:17

fiery billed aracari

The fiery billed aracari’s sharp beak can slice open fruit.

Delightfully Different

There are more than 10,000 types of birds. They are all different. They come in different sizes. Ostriches are very tall. The bee hummingbird is tiny. It can fit in your hand.

Bird beaks can be different sizes. The aracari has a long beak. The superb parrot has a short beak. The sword-billed hummingbird’s beak is as long as the rest of its body!

Some birds are colorful, like the superb fairywren. Other birds are brown.

superb fairywren

superb parrot

The superb parrot’s tiny beak helps it nibble flowers.

07/07/2024 01:22:17

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