Birds and the Origin of Flight
Major Features
The Aves or birds contains about 9,000 species, ranking it second only to the bony fish in number of species
Feathers Associated with flight - the major characteristic feature
of birds is the capacity for flight. modified scales
Feathers as Insulation
The evolution of feathers may have been important in providing insulation that would help maintain a body temperature higher than that of the surrounding environment.
Feathers and Flight
Being airborne, birds have more mobility and access to resources.
Not all birds are capable of flight, but flightless birds are evolutionarily derived from flying ancestors.
Adaptations for Flight
Things that fly must be made to fit strict specifications.
This is why most birds have a similar body shape, even though they live in very different habitats and have very different diets.
Adaptations for Flight
Reduction in the weighthollow construction of the skeleton
Adaptations for Flight
Fusion and loss of bones and teeth
Adaptations for Flight
Fused clavicles and keeled sternum
Adaptations for flight
4-chambered heart
Adaptations for flight - respiration
Adaptations for Flight
Reduced urogenital system
Flight – the basics
Lift (airfoil)
Flight – the basics
Birds are theropod dinosaurs
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