*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.
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