*Ornithology is the study of birds Characteristics 1. Forelimbs modified into wings 2. Feathers
3. Hollow, lightweight bones 4. Endothermic 5. Efficient respiration 6. Heart with a completely divided ventricle (4 chambers) 7. Scaley feet (birds are related to reptiles) 8. Furculum (wishbone) Classification Kingdom Animalia ---Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Aves Aviation = flight Types of feathers Down feathers - provide insulation
* birds are endothermic Contour feathers - cover head and body, provide coloration Flight feathers - on wings and tail, provide lift Feathers are covered in oil to keep them water proof - "like water off a duck's back" - this oil is secreted from a preen gland Preening is a behavior that replaces the oil on feathers, and repairs broken links on the vanes Evolution of Birds (from reptiles)
Archaeopteryx - ancient wing Reptile like - Had teeth in beak, bony tail, claws on wings Bird like = Had feathers,& fused collarbone(wishbone) Adaptations for flight:
Efficient digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems Aerodynamic feathers and wings Strong, lightweight bones Strong chest muscles FEEDING -- shape of the beak related to food Examples:
Hooked beaks used for tearing meat Long sharp beaks for spearing fish The shape of a beak and type of feet a bird has can tell you much about its lifestyle
What do you think this bird eats? How does its feet help it in its habitat? Digestive System Birds lack teeth Crop stores and moistens food
Gizzard grinds the food Some birds will use their beaks to tear food into bits, most of these chunks of flesh are swallowed whole Mouth esophagus crop stomach/gizzard small intestine large intestine cloaca Other systems Respiration Mouth trachea air sacs and bones lungs
A one way flow of oxygen Circulation 4 chambered heart (double-loop system) Excretion Kidneys (uric acid) & Cloaca Nervous System - response
Well develop sense organs A large brain Cerebrum = thinking, decision making Cerebellum = coordinated movement Medulla oblongata = basic body process Optic lobes = vision Olfactory lobes = taste and smell Movement Flightless (ostrich, penguinetc)
Forelimbs modified for flight = wings Collarbones are fused making a strong base for flight muscles - fused bone is the furculum Air spaces make the bones light in weight Strong chest muscle attach to a keel of the sternum (breastbone) Reproduction Internal Fertilization + Amniote Egg Incubation
egg tooth Many baby birds are born helpless and without feathers
Many baby birds are born helpless and without feathers. These baby birds require lots of care from their parents. Some babies hatch with feathers and can follow their mom around, swim and eat on their own. Some babies IMPRINT on the first thing they see. Bird Myths If you touch a baby bird, the mother wont take it back
Reality most birds have a poor sense of smell, there may be other reasons why mom has rejected the baby Turkeys cant fly. Reality - wild turkeys can fly, just not long distances. Another myth is that turkeys drown in the rain, that one is also untrue.