When we hear the word fly, the first thing that comes to our mind is a bird. Birds pretty much own the sky, but there are certain birds that cannot fly despite having wings. In contrast, there are some animals that can fly but they are not birds.
In this article, we have talked about flying animal’s names in English and also the birds that have wings but cannot fly. You can also teach about this to your child with the help of flying animals charts or pictures.
Let’s take a look at the name of animals who can fly.
What Is A Flying Animal?
A flying animal is an animal that has evolved to fly. These animals can move through the air without any help and can fly for an extended period of time. These animals have wings that help them to fly and control their flying direction, speed, and height as they move in the air. There are a few animals that cannot fly but can only glide through the air.
Which Type Of Animals Can Fly?
There are three types of animals that can fly: birds, bats, and insects. Let’s study these animals a little
1. Birds
Feathers help the birds to fly. The feathers of the birds are shaped asymmetrically, which means that the edge that hits the air is thin and stiff, while the other edge is flexible. To fly, birds tilt their wings to adjust the airflow around them and then lift off.
2. Bats
The arms of bats stretch out into webbed wings of a thin membrane with their fingers on the tips. To fly, the bat has to flap these spread-out fingers. Bats can fly in the dark too.
3. Insects
Most insects flap their wings backwards and forward in a symmetrical motion in order to fly. The insects flap their wings by using muscles in their body, but the muscles are not directly attached to the wings. The movement of muscles indirectly makes their wings flap.
List Of Flying Animal Names In English
Here is the list of animals that can fly. These are not common birds that we generally spot, but they are unusual animals who can fly and aren’t birds. Let’s read about these animals.
1. Flying Ray
Also known as Mobula rays or devil rays, flying rays are members of the genus Mobula and are very closely related to manta rays. Flying rays have large, flat, diamond-shaped bodies and long fins that help them to glide through water and air. They can grow up to 17 feet across and jump 6 feet up into the air. This animal is incapable of a sustained flight and can cover an impressive distance and return to the water with a resounding slap.
2. Flying Squirrel
This animal is not capable of flight like birds or bats but can glide between trees. The flight of flying squirrels can be as high as 90 meters (300 ft.) and are capable of obtaining lift within the course of these flights. These squirrels can glide because of the membrane between their front and back legs that acts like a parachute.
3. Flying Fish
Flying fishes can be found throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This animal can grow up to 18 inches long. The animal has specialised pectoral fins that they extend and flatten to jump out of the water and glide at speeds of up to 37 mph. These fishes can swim powerfully up to the surface and, using their fins glide for over 600 feet.
4. Flying Fox
These are some of the smallest bats in the world. The long-tongued nectar bat reaches about 3 inches long with a wingspan of around 10 inches. Flying fox use their tongue to collect pollen and nectar.
5. Draco Lizard
Draco lizards rely on their gliding ability to escape predators and find food. This animal can be found in the forests of southeast Asia and eat ants and termites mostly. These lizards can grow to about 20 centimetres, including their tails. The animal has elongated ribs which extend and retract as required, and between the ribs is a fold of skin, acting as wings when unfolded.
6. Colugos
The animal has large eyes, which help them to glide between trees and land safely. The limbs and tail of colugos are long and slender. Its feet are broad with strong, sharp recurved claws that help them to climb. The animal’s lightweight skeleton and wide surface area of the patagium perfectly equip them for gliding. Colugos are such skilled gliders that they can transport their babies onto their stomachs till they can glide on their own.
7. Wallace’s Flying Frog
There are various types of frogs that can glide, but Wallace’s flying frogs are the largest ones to glide. They can be identified by their black foot webbing, bright green bodies and yellow sides. Wallace’s flying fogs use their webbed feet to glide between trees and can travel up to 15 metres. This ability helps them to catch prey and escape predators.
Animals Who Have Wings But Can’t Fly
In this section, we have covered the name of animals who have wings, just like birds, but can’t fly.
1. Emu
Native to Australia, emus are the second largest birds in the world. The animals can stand up to 2 m tall and weigh up to 55 kg. Emus are covered in primitive feathers that are dusky brown to grey-brown with black tips. These animals do have small wings, but they are insufficient for flight. So, instead uses their long and powerful legs to run long distances.
2. Ostrich
Ostrich is an animal with a small head, short bill, big brown eyes, thick black lashes and powerful thighs. These are the largest bird on Earth, but they can’t use their wings to fly. They hold their wings out to balance when they run, especially when they suddenly change direction.
3. Penguin
Penguins have large heads, short necks, and elongated bodies. The tail of this animal is short, stiff, and wedge-shaped. While their legs and webbed feet are set far back on the body, which gives them their upright posture on land. Penguins do have wings, but their wing structures are evolved for swimming rather than flying in the traditional sense.
4. Kiwi
Kiwi is a bird with a round body, strong feet, a long bill, highly reduced wings with claws at the end, small feathers around the face, and brown or grey plumage almost resembling fur. Native to New Zealand, Kiwis do have tiny wings, but they aren’t strong enough to support flight.
Above, we have talked about the unique flying animals and also the ones that do have wings but cannot fly. Learning the name of these animals will help kids expand their knowledge about flying animals, and they will be able to add these names to their vocabulary.
Also Read:
Wild Animals Names in English for Kids
Sea Animals Names for Children in English
Animal Names for Preschooler and Kids
