Birds with big mouths (skinny camels)
As "Rio" hits the global screen, the enthusiastic Raphael, who plays an important supporting role, also shows off well Got a handful.
The famous name of the toucan is the hawk, which lives in South America. There are 34 species of toucans in the world, most of which live only in Brazil.
Because of the eyeball effect of its large beak, toucans are the least likely to be mistaken. Their mouths are so big that they take up almost a third of their body length. However, you don’t have to worry about this placing a heavy burden on the toucan. Its beak is foam-like inside and is very light, generally weighing no more than 50 grams.
Why does the toucan have such a big beak? This question has puzzled scientists for many years. At first, ornithologists who had only seen specimens thought the toucan's large beak was used to catch fish, like a pelican's. Later, ornithologists discovered that the main food of toucans is various fruits, so they speculated that maybe having a big mouth would make it easier to eat fruits growing on the treetops? Only recently have scientists revealed the reason for the big mouth. Secret: It turns out that they live in tropical rain forests. In hot and hot environments, their large mouths can help them dissipate heat and cool down.
What also attracts people’s attention are the toucan’s feet. Toucans have four toes, two pointing forward and two pointing backward. Woodpeckers also have this type of foot. In fact, toucans are relatives of woodpeckers, and like woodpeckers, they also like to live in tree holes. However, they do not dig their own holes. Some large toucans like to live in natural tree holes formed by decaying trees, while some small toucans unceremoniously lend themselves to relatives' homes to seize the woodpeckers' hard-earned holes. cave.
Toucan is a model couple among birds. Most toucan couples will stay with each other for many years. When breeding, the toucan lady will lay 1 to 5 white eggs. After about 16 days of incubation, the baby toucan will hatch out of the egg. The newly hatched chick is very weak, with not even a single down on its body, and its eyes are closed. At this time, the chick's beak is still very short, and there is no indication that it will turn into a big beak later. The toucan couple will feed the newly hatched chicks small bugs. Later, fruits gradually become the staple food of the young toucan. Compared with other birds, young toucans grow very slowly, and some species have only a few feathers on their bodies after the full moon.
Scientists have also recently discovered that some toucans work together to raise chicks, even if the chicks are not their children. Scientists estimate that these volunteer toucan nannies may be the older siblings of the chicks, the offspring of the toucan couple's last breeding.
After two months of careful nurturing, the little guys can finally leave the nest. At this time, except that their mouths are not big enough and the colors are not bright enough, they basically look like their parents. As for that iconic mouth, it will take at least a year to fully grow. The young birds that leave the nest will live with their parents for a period of time. These little guys are very playful: they will press their big beaks together and push each other. Whoever retreats first loses, and the winner will accept the challenge of other young birds. Another game they love is fruit tossing. These games are not just for fun for the little toucan, but more importantly, they can learn survival skills from them. Those little birds who are invincible in the world from childhood are more likely to become leaders when they grow up.
Currently, most species of toucans live a carefree life. However, due to large-scale deforestation, the homes of some toucans have been destroyed, and some have become endangered. Just like what is said in the movie, some people like to capture wild birds as pets. This capture has even formed a trading chain (it is said that a toucan is worth as much as 100,000 yuan), which seriously threatens the giants. The survival of the beak bird.
The toucan’s large beak is world-famous and is definitely a registered trademark of their species. However, there are still imitators in nature, and that is the hornbill.
The hornbill lives in Asia and Africa. It is not a close relative of the toucan, and its living area does not overlap with the toucan. However, they also have a big mouth! It is just smaller than the toucan. The living habits of hornbills are very similar to those of toucans. They also eat fruits as their main food, and occasionally eat small insects and small animals as side dishes. This phenomenon of unrelated but similar looks is what scientists call convergent evolution, which means that people who originally looked alike gradually became the same due to similar living environments.
How do we distinguish between toucans and hornbills? The first way is of course to look at the birth certificate. Toucans only live in South America, while hornbills only live in Asia and Africa; secondly, please They stretch out their feet. Those with two toes facing forward and two facing back are toucans. Those with three toes facing forward and one facing back are hornbills. The last one is for hats. Hornbills often wear a large hat on their head. Helmet, while the Toucan does not.
13. One of the following statements that fits the meaning of the text is () (3 points)
A Toucans have lived in Brazil, South America since ancient times, and their giant beaks are Typical sign.
B The toucan has the same foot shape as the woodpecker, but the toucan does not like to dig holes and live in tree holes.
When C toucans reach adulthood, they will raise their newborn siblings together with their parents.
The threat to the survival of D toucans mainly comes from human deforestation and the capture of birds.
14. For an overview of the toucan’s gestation and growth process, the correct one is () (3 points)
A After 16 days of hard incubation by the toucan mother, the baby The toucan will burst out of its shell.
BThe newly born chicks relied on their parents to feed them bugs, and later they gradually ate all fruits.
C The chick is born two months and nine months old, but it still lives with its parents for a period of time
D The toucan’s big beak can be Can grow up and be able to find food independently.
15. According to the context, which one of the following descriptions of toucans and hornbills is wrong is () (3 points)
A Toucans and hornbills both live In places with hot weather and lush trees.
B Both toucans and hornbills live in places with abundant fruits and fish.
C Toucans and hornbills are not related and live in different areas.
The D toucan looks similar to the hornbill, but they can still be distinguished.
16. From the full text, what are the characteristics of the toucan’s appearance? Please state it in points. (4 points)
17. Please appreciate the expression effect of adding some words in the following sentences. (5 points)
(1) Birds with big beaks (2 points)
(2) Some small toucans unceremoniously lend themselves to relatives’ homes. Seize the burrows dug by the woodpeckers. (3 points)
The answers to the reading of "Niao Tan Big Mouth Big Mouth" are compiled and shared by me for reference only:
13. Reference answer D
Analysis of ideas
A. Most of them are only, so the options are narrowed down to Brazil, which has lived in South America since ancient times.
B. Not digging holes by yourself does not mean that you don’t like digging holes by yourself. At the same time, they also live in tree holes, so the options are inconsistent with the original text.
C. Raising younger siblings with parents is an estimate by scientists, not certain.
14. Reference answer C
Idea analysis
A. It is not just the mother who incubates, but the parents take turns to incubate.
B. Fruit has just become a staple food, not everyone eats fruit.
D. It takes at least a year for the big mouth to fully grow, not less than one year.
15. Reference answer A
From the last two paragraphs, it can be seen that C and D are consistent with the original text. Option B is based on common sense reasoning in life, whether it is Asia or Africa or South America is a place rich in fruits and fish. So option A is wrong.
16. Reference answer
(1) It has a large mouth that accounts for almost one-third of its body length;
(2) The four limbs of a toucan There are two toes, two facing forward and two facing back;
(3) The toes of the little toucan are not big enough and the color is not bright enough;
(4) The toucan’s There is no large helmet on the head similar to that of a hornbill.
17. Reference answers
(1) Bird altar with big mouth
①Big mouth Copy the appearance of the toucan’s mouth to highlight the huge size. The characteristics of the beak are large;
② At the same time, it also clarifies the writing object and main content of the article;
③ Attract readers and reflect the interest of the language of the article.
(2) You’re welcome to seize it
① The use of anthropomorphic rhetorical techniques gives toucans human characteristics, reflecting their cute and naughty characteristics;
② It is used in a derogatory sense and also expresses the author's love for toucans.