Why do birds fly?

Answer 1

Because they can.

Answer 2

That is something evolutionary biologists are still discussing today. The analyses of researchers have told us the adaptations, advantages and disadvantages that flight capacity has given to birds, but all those were not automatically _there_ when the trait started to evolve. Therefore, researchers have proposed ideas about the characteristics and possible advantages of the first stages of flight that could have driven further adaptations, leading to the birds we know today.

Two traditional hypotheses are the "arboreal scenario", which proposes that the ancestors of flying birds were climbers that started to jump, parachute, and then glide from trees; and the "cursorial predator hypothesis", which suggests that the ancestors of birds were active ground-dwelling animals that used their arms in predation. The predatory movements of their arms was exapted (= acquired a new function) as a flight stroke.

There are other important evolutionary events to elucidate, including the origin and functions of feathers. See the paper linked below for a great discussion.

Answer 3

Hi I believe birds fly because most places they go to are to far away to walk. Wayne M

Answer 4

Because the ice cream melted.

Seriously, it is the way they get around and the form of transportation they were designed for. Very good question, that is something I have wondered but never thought of...

Answer 5

Because they are part of the circle of life. They need wings to keep it turning. Also they have wings and light feathers.You can think it either way.

Answer 6

They fly to emigrate to other countries

Answer 7

to escape ground predators

to migrate to favourable feeding grounds as the seasons change

Answer 8

their feet are too short to reach the gas pedals in cars

Answer 9

Because they can.

This page should help:-

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-01/uoc--nto012902.php

Answer 10

Because where they're going, it's too far to walk.