Birds Ornithology is the study of birds Characteristics

Birds *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 8. Furculum (wishbone)

Classification Kingdom Animalia ---Phylum Chordata ------Subphylum Vertebrata -----Class Aves Aviation = flight

Types of feathers Down feathers - provide insulation 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

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, penguin…etc) • 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. 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.

Bird Myths If you touch a baby bird, the mother won’t take it back Reality – most birds have a poor sense of smell, there may be other reasons why mom has rejected the baby Turkeys can’t fly. Reality - wild turkeys can fly, just not long distances. Another myth is that turkeys drown in the rain, that one is also untrue.