All the structures of a bird work together to help it survive

Birds’ hearts, lungs, bones, beaks and even their reproductive organs have a range of adaptations to help them survive.

For example, before their huge migratory flight, godwits put on a lot of weight under the skin, around their intestines, stomach and gizzard and even their heart is just packed with fat. When the godwits leave Aotearoa New Zealand, the increased fat makes it a lot harder for the bird to fly so their exercise organs – the flight muscles and the lungs and the heart – all have to be tuned up as well.

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