Compare and Contrast Dragonflies and Birds

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are a unique and beautiful flying insect. They are characterized by their large eyes, their slender elongated bodies, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which they hold perpendicular or horizontal to their body when at rest. They have six legs like all other insects; however, they cannot walk very well. Dragonflies are also one of the fastest insects in the world, flying at speeds up to 34 miles per hour. They live and lay their eggs near ponds, lakes, and streams because their larvae are aquatic and require water to live in during this stage of life. In addition to adding beauty to the area, they are good to have around because they eat mosquitoes and other pesky insects such as flies and ants.

Birds

Birds are feathered and winged animals with around 10,000 living species known to man. They range in size from the two inch Bee Hummingbird to the nine foot Ostrich. Birds are covered with feathers in a wide variety of colors ranging from dull browns to bright blues, reds, and yellows, depending upon their species. All birds have wings, two legs, and a beak with no teeth. Although all birds have wings, not all of them can fly. All birds do reproduce by laying eggs which they incubate in a nest. The nestlings are then cared for by their parents for a period of time before becoming independent. Birds also eat pesky insects as well as worms, fruit, seeds, and various small animals.

Question: Based on the two paragraphs, how are dragonflies and birds alike?

• They both have wings and all birds and dragonflies can fly.

• They both have the same number of wings and legs.

• The both eat pesky insects.

• Both of their young are aquatic.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are a unique and beautiful flying insect. They are characterized by their large eyes, their slender elongated bodies, and two pairs of strong transparent wings, which they hold perpendicular or horizontal to their body when at rest. They have six legs like all other insects; however, they cannot walk very well. Dragonflies are also one of the fastest insects in the world, flying at speeds up to 34 miles per hour. They live and lay their eggs near ponds, lakes, and streams because their larvae are aquatic and require water to live in during this stage of life. In addition to adding beauty to the area, they are good to have around because they eat mosquitoes and other pesky insects such as flies and ants.

Birds

Birds are feathered and winged animals with around 10,000 living species known to man. They range in size from the two inch Bee Hummingbird to the nine foot Ostrich. Birds are covered with feathers in a wide variety of colors ranging from dull browns to bright blues, reds, and yellows, depending upon their species. All birds have wings, two legs, and a beak with no teeth. Although all birds have wings, not all of them can fly. All birds do reproduce by laying eggs which they incubate in a nest. The nestlings are then cared for by their parents for a period of time before becoming independent. Birds also eat pesky insects as well as worms, fruit, seeds, and various small animals.

Question: Based on the two paragraphs, how are dragonflies and birds different?

• Dragonflies eat insects.

• Dragonflies have wings.

• Birds don't eat insects.

• Birds have beaks.

List three things that birds eat that dragonflies do not.

• Worms, fruits, small animals

• caterpillar, large animas, birds

• small animals, centipede, spiders

• fruits, caterpillar, and small animals

Where do dragonflies live?

• They live near flowers, trees, and rivers.

• They live near streams, rivers, and lakes.

The size of birds range from...

• three inches to nine feet

• one inch to three inches

• two inches to four inches

• two inches to nine feet

Dragonflies can fly at speeds of...

• 25 mph

• 15 mph

• 25 mph

• 34 mph