Do you not see that everyone in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah, as
do the birds with their outspread wings? Each one knows its prayer and
glorification. Allah knows what they do. (Surat an-Nur: 41)
THE WATER BIRD THAT CUTS
THROUGH THE WATER
LIKE SCI SSORS
Most birds cannot fly if their wings come into contact with water because
water causes their feathers to stick to each other, which disables the bird by
stopping it moving its wings. However, although aquatic birds dive into
water all day, nothing happens to them. You must be wondering how and
why, are you not?
There is a special oil on the wings of water birds that prevents feathers from
sticking to each other when wet. This is how these birds can dive into water
with no trouble. However, the skimmer, a species of water bird, lacks this
oil. Therefore, unlike other water birds, it cannot dive into water to hunt.
How, then, will it find its nourishment when it cannot enter water?
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W O N D E R F U L C R E A T U R E S
