In terms of overall movement, it’s because birds perceive the world at twice the frequency mammals do. A particularly good example is with vision. Humans see video up to 60fps, or 60hz. Birds can do so at 120hz. That means birds see any video – like on a TV – as a series of still images. And with smaller birds, their lighter bodies allow them to move much faster and more adroitly than mammals of the same size who don’t have hollow bones and are physically heavier.
Take any video of normal people doing things like gymnastics and sports. Play it back at twice normal speed. Looks bird-like, doesn’t it?
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