King of the Kingfi shers T e common kingfi sher may be the most common kingfi sher species, hence the name! Yet it’s not the only one. T ere are more than 90 kingfi sher species. Many kinds of kingfi shers fi sh, but others


don’t live anywhere near waterways. Some species live in forests. Others live on mountains. And one species lives in deserts. All of these kingfi shers share many traits, or


characteristics. For instance, most have small, stocky bodies. Many sit and wait for prey to pass by and then leap into action. Still, each species has its own adaptations


that help it survive in its unique environment. Turn the page to explore the variation of traits among some species of kingfi shers.


WORDWISE


adaptation: a behavior or body part developed over time that lets an organism survive and reproduce in its environment


species: a group of similar organisms that can reproduce


trait: a characteristic specifi c to a species


variation of traits: differences within characteristics between similar species


A kingfi sher prepares to take fl ight, holding its slippery meal in its bill.


QUIET TRAIN An engineer and


birdwatcher modeled Japan’s super fast bullet


train after the kingfi sher’s head and beak. Like the kingfi sher, which quietly dives into water, the train quietly exits tunnels.


7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24