Birds Birds

Sarah Sarah Hayden Hayden

Boring Rucker Boring Rucker

Meghan DaughdrillMeghan Daughdrill

General Characteristics General Characteristics

Appendages modified as wings Appendages modified as wings  FeathersFeathers Endothermy Endothermy  High Metabolic rate  High Metabolic rate   Vertebral column modified for flightVertebral column modified for flight modern birds possess a horny bill modern birds possess a horny bill

and lack teeth. and lack teeth. 

Bird Evolution and Phylogenic Bird Evolution and Phylogenic RelationshipsRelationships

In south France and Spin birds were drawn on the walls of caves. In south France and Spin birds were drawn on the walls of caves. Birds were images of ancient Egyptian and American cultures.Birds were images of ancient Egyptian and American cultures. Humans have marveled at birds and bird flight for thousands of years. Humans have marveled at birds and bird flight for thousands of years. T. H Huxley described birds as “gorified reptiles” in the 1860. T. H Huxley described birds as “gorified reptiles” in the 1860.

He included them in a single class Sauropsida. He included them in a single class Sauropsida. Birds descended from ancient archosaurs ( a lineage shared by the Birds descended from ancient archosaurs ( a lineage shared by the

dinosaurs and crocodilians) dinosaurs and crocodilians) Fossils of a dozen theropod dinosaurs bearing feathers have been Fossils of a dozen theropod dinosaurs bearing feathers have been

discovered showing the possible connection. discovered showing the possible connection.

Order Sphenisciformes Order Sphenisciformes  Heavy bodied Heavy bodied  FlightlessFlightless Flipperlike wings for Flipperlike wings for

swimming swimming  Well Insulated with FatWell Insulated with Fat PenguinsPenguins

Order Anseriformes Order Anseriformes 

South American screamers South American screamers  webbed feetwebbed feet Posses a wide, flat bill and an Posses a wide, flat bill and an

undercoat of dense down. undercoat of dense down.  ducksducks geesegeese swansswans

Order Falconiformes Order Falconiformes 

StrongStrong hooked Beakhooked Beak Their wings are long and fairly broad, suitable for soaring flight, Their wings are long and fairly broad, suitable for soaring flight,

with the outer 4–6 primaries emarginated.with the outer 4–6 primaries emarginated. Falconiformes have strong legs and feet with raptorial claws and Falconiformes have strong legs and feet with raptorial claws and

an opposable hind claw.an opposable hind claw. Almost all Falconiformes are carnivorous, hunting by sight Almost all Falconiformes are carnivorous, hunting by sight

during the day or at twilight.during the day or at twilight. They are exceptionally long-lived, and most have They are exceptionally long-lived, and most have

low reproductive rates.low reproductive rates. Females are bigger than malesFemales are bigger than males Vultures, secretarybirds, hawks, eagles, ospreys, falcons.Vultures, secretarybirds, hawks, eagles, ospreys, falcons.

Order Order ColumbiformesColumbiformes

Dense feathers loosely set into skinDense feathers loosely set into skin pigeons, doves, sandgrouse.pigeons, doves, sandgrouse.

Order Strigiformes Order Strigiformes  Large Head with fixed eyes directed Large Head with fixed eyes directed

forwardsforwards Raptorial footRaptorial foot owlsowls

Order PasseriformesOrder Passeriformes

Largest avian orderLargest avian order 69 families of perching birds69 families of perching birds perching footperching foot variable external featuresvariable external features swallows, larks, crows, titmice, swallows, larks, crows, titmice,

nuthatches, and many others, nuthatches, and many others, 

Bird External Structure and Bird External Structure and LocomotionLocomotion

The covering of birds of feathers on Birds The covering of birds of feathers on Birds 

Feathers have two primary functions essential for flight (They form the Feathers have two primary functions essential for flight (They form the flight surfaces that provide lift and aid steering and they prevent excessive flight surfaces that provide lift and aid steering and they prevent excessive heat loss.)heat loss.)

There are many different types of feathers. Pennaceous feathers that cover There are many different types of feathers. Pennaceous feathers that cover the bodies of birds. the bodies of birds. Flight feathersFlight feathers which line the tip and trailing edge of which line the tip and trailing edge of the wing.the wing. Contour Feathers Contour Feathers are usually symmetrical and line the body are usually symmetrical and line the body and cover the base of the flight feathers. Plumulacerous feathers have and cover the base of the flight feathers. Plumulacerous feathers have rudimentary shaft to which wispy tuft of barbs and barbules is attached and rudimentary shaft to which wispy tuft of barbs and barbules is attached and includes down feathers, which lie below contour feathers. includes down feathers, which lie below contour feathers. 

Feathers have been considered reptilian scales that elongated and gew Feathers have been considered reptilian scales that elongated and gew fringed edges, barbules, and hamuli, but is notfringed edges, barbules, and hamuli, but is not   

Bird External Structure and Bird External Structure and Locomotion cont.Locomotion cont.

Preening is when birds rub their beaks over their feathers Preening is when birds rub their beaks over their feathers keeping themselves clean. keeping themselves clean. 

Mature Feathers receive constant wear: this all birds Mature Feathers receive constant wear: this all birds periodically shed and replace their feathers in a process called periodically shed and replace their feathers in a process called molting. molting. 

Bones of birds are lightweight yet strong. Bones of birds are lightweight yet strong.  Birds have a reduced number of skull bones.Birds have a reduced number of skull bones. A lighter, keratinized sheath called a bill replaces the teeth. A lighter, keratinized sheath called a bill replaces the teeth.  The wings of birds are adapted to different types of flight. The wings of birds are adapted to different types of flight.  Air passing over the wing travels farther and faster than air Air passing over the wing travels farther and faster than air

passing under the wingpassing under the wing

Bird Nutrition And the Bird Nutrition And the Digestive SystemDigestive System

Most birds have ravenous appetites which supports a high metabolic rate Most birds have ravenous appetites which supports a high metabolic rate that makes endothermy and fight possible. that makes endothermy and fight possible.

Birds bills and tongues are modified for a variety of feeding habits and Birds bills and tongues are modified for a variety of feeding habits and food sources. food sources.

In many birds, a diverticulum of the esophagus, called the crop, is a In many birds, a diverticulum of the esophagus, called the crop, is a storage structure that allows birds to quickly ingest large quantities of storage structure that allows birds to quickly ingest large quantities of locally abundant food. locally abundant food.

They seek safety while digesting their food. They seek safety while digesting their food. Crops are less well developed in insect-eating birds because insectivorous Crops are less well developed in insect-eating birds because insectivorous

birds feed throughout the day on sparsely distributed food.birds feed throughout the day on sparsely distributed food.

Bird Nutrition And the Bird Nutrition And the Digestive System cont.Digestive System cont.

Birds stomachs are modified into two regions, the Proventriculus which Birds stomachs are modified into two regions, the Proventriculus which secrets gastric juices that initiate digestion and then the ventriculus has secrets gastric juices that initiate digestion and then the ventriculus has muscular walls to abrade and crush seeds or other hard materials. muscular walls to abrade and crush seeds or other hard materials.

Birds may swallow sand and other abrasives to aid digestion. Birds may swallow sand and other abrasives to aid digestion. Birds usually eliminate undigested food through the cloaca. Birds usually eliminate undigested food through the cloaca. Owls form pellets of bone, fur, and feathers that are ejected from the Owls form pellets of bone, fur, and feathers that are ejected from the

ventriculus through the mouth. ventriculus through the mouth.

Bird Circulation, Gas Bird Circulation, Gas Exchange, and Exchange, and

Temperature RegulationTemperature Regulation The heart has completely different separated atria and The heart has completely different separated atria and ventricles, resulting in separate pulmonary and systemic ventricles, resulting in separate pulmonary and systemic circuits. circuits.

This prevents any mixing of highly oxygenated blood with less This prevents any mixing of highly oxygenated blood with less oxygenated blood. oxygenated blood.

Repository system is complex and efficient.Repository system is complex and efficient. Consists of external nares that lead to nasal passageways and Consists of external nares that lead to nasal passageways and

pharynx. pharynx. Voice box called syrinx located where the trachea dive into Voice box called syrinx located where the trachea dive into

bronchi. bronchi. Have air sacs that occupy much of the body.Have air sacs that occupy much of the body. Lungs are made of smaller air tubes called Parabronchi. Lungs are made of smaller air tubes called Parabronchi. It takes two ventilatory cycles to move a particular volume of It takes two ventilatory cycles to move a particular volume of

air through the repertory system of a bird. air through the repertory system of a bird. Birds have a greater rate of oxygen consumption than any Birds have a greater rate of oxygen consumption than any

other vertebrate due to flying. other vertebrate due to flying.

Bird Nervous and Sensory Bird Nervous and Sensory FunctionsFunctions

Forebrain is very large.Forebrain is very large. The midbrain receives sensory input from the eyes.The midbrain receives sensory input from the eyes. Birds eyes are much larger relative to body size.Birds eyes are much larger relative to body size. Double-focusing mechanism. This allows a bird of prey to keep focus on a Double-focusing mechanism. This allows a bird of prey to keep focus on a

fish throughout a brief, but breathtakingly fast, descent. fish throughout a brief, but breathtakingly fast, descent. Some birds have two foveae per eye.Some birds have two foveae per eye. The position of the eyes on a head of the bird influences the degree of The position of the eyes on a head of the bird influences the degree of

binocular vision. binocular vision. Olfaction plays a minor role in most birds. External nares open near the Olfaction plays a minor role in most birds. External nares open near the

base of the beak but the olfactory epithelium is poorly developed. base of the beak but the olfactory epithelium is poorly developed. Well-developed hearing Well-developed hearing Feathers called auriculars cover the external ear openings. Feathers called auriculars cover the external ear openings.

Bird Excretion and Bird Excretion and OsmoregulationOsmoregulation

Birds and reptiles face identical excretory and osmoregulatory demands.Birds and reptiles face identical excretory and osmoregulatory demands. Like reptiles, birds excrete uric acid, which is temporarily stored in the Like reptiles, birds excrete uric acid, which is temporarily stored in the

cloaca. Water is also reabsorbed in the cloacacloaca. Water is also reabsorbed in the cloaca As with reptiles the excretion of uric acid conserves water and promotes As with reptiles the excretion of uric acid conserves water and promotes

embryo development in terrestrial environments.embryo development in terrestrial environments. Some birds have supraorbital salt glands that grain excess sodium chloride Some birds have supraorbital salt glands that grain excess sodium chloride

through the nasal opening to the outside of the body. (very important in through the nasal opening to the outside of the body. (very important in marine birds) marine birds)

Salt glands can secrete salt in a solution that is two or three times more Salt glands can secrete salt in a solution that is two or three times more concentrated than any other body fluids. concentrated than any other body fluids.

Salt glands compensate for the kidneys inability to concentrate salts in the Salt glands compensate for the kidneys inability to concentrate salts in the urine. urine.

Bird Reproduction and Bird Reproduction and DevelopmentDevelopment

All birds are oviparous All birds are oviparous No intromittent organ and sperm are transferred by cloacal contact when No intromittent organ and sperm are transferred by cloacal contact when

the male briefly mounts the female. the male briefly mounts the female. Monogamous (single male and female pair for breeding season) Monogamous (single male and female pair for breeding season) Some pair for lifeSome pair for life Some are polygynous ( Males mate with more than one female)Some are polygynous ( Males mate with more than one female) Few are polyandrous (The female mates with more than one male)Few are polyandrous (The female mates with more than one male) Nests form after pair formationNests form after pair formation ClutchClutch is the group of eggs laid and chicks produced by a female. is the group of eggs laid and chicks produced by a female. Birds turn the eggs to ovoid embryo deformation Birds turn the eggs to ovoid embryo deformation Those that are fully dependant on their parents are said to be Those that are fully dependant on their parents are said to be altricialaltricial and and

are often naked at hatching. are often naked at hatching. Precocial Precocial young are alert and lively hatching.young are alert and lively hatching.

Bird Migration and Bird Migration and NavigationNavigation

Aristotle discovered bird migrating to escape the winter cold and summer Aristotle discovered bird migrating to escape the winter cold and summer heat.heat.

Some migrate long distance. Some migrate long distance. Migration refers to periodic round trips between breeding and nonbreeding Migration refers to periodic round trips between breeding and nonbreeding

areas.areas. Most migrations are nesting areas in northern regions and wintering Most migrations are nesting areas in northern regions and wintering

grounds in the south.grounds in the south. Birds use route-based navigation where they keep track of landmarks on Birds use route-based navigation where they keep track of landmarks on

the journeys. the journeys. Also use location-based navigation based on establishing the direction of Also use location-based navigation based on establishing the direction of

the destination from information available at the journeys site of origin. the destination from information available at the journeys site of origin.

Contour FeathersContour Feathers – Cover the body, wings, and tail of the bird. – Cover the body, wings, and tail of the bird. Responsible for plumage colors. Responsible for plumage colors.

Down FeathersDown Feathers – Feathers that provide insulation for adult and – Feathers that provide insulation for adult and immature birds. immature birds.

Flight FeathersFlight Feathers – They line the tip and trailing edge of wings of a bird – They line the tip and trailing edge of wings of a bird and are asymmetrical with longer barbs on one side of the shaft. and are asymmetrical with longer barbs on one side of the shaft.

ClutchClutch – The number of eggs laid and chicks produced by a female – The number of eggs laid and chicks produced by a female bird.bird.

AltricialAltricial- An animal that is helpless at hatching or birth. - An animal that is helpless at hatching or birth. PrecocialPrecocial – Having developed to a high degree of independence at the – Having developed to a high degree of independence at the

time of hatching or birth. time of hatching or birth. MigrationMigration – periodic roundtrips of animals between breeding and – periodic roundtrips of animals between breeding and

nonbreeding areas or to and from feeding areas. nonbreeding areas or to and from feeding areas.