Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrate Class: Birds (Aves) Over 9700 different species divided into 29 different orders. BIRD CLASSIFICATION: CHARACTERISICS OF BIRDS: Feathers: (modified scales) Flight Insulation Made of keratin Four different types of feathers: 1.Down feathers: Soft and Fluffy Entire body of young Adult: Lies closest to body for insulation Down feather 2.Contour feathers: Streamline shape Bottom part similar to Down (insulation) Coloration Camouflage Identifies species/sex Contour Feather 3.Flight feathers: (modified Contour) Wings & tail Helps provide lift for flight 4.Bristle feathers: Located on Eyes, Nostrils & Around Face Filter dirt Similar to eyelashes/nose hair PARTS OF A FEATHER: Follicle: Tiny pit in skin where feathers develop Shaft or quill: Develops from follicle & runs up center of feather Vanes: 2 vanes per feather on each side of shaft Barbs: Many make up a vane Barbules: Have hooks on ends to hold barbs together Hooks Hold barbules together VANE (deep) Similar StructuresAmphibiansReptiles Preening: Use beak to spread oil from preening gland, helps repel water Preening Gland: Base of tail, contains oil Molting: Shed feathers (once a year) Skeletal System: Light & Strong Thin, hollow, air filled, & rigid bones Humerus, radius, ulna, pectoral girdle, & sternum (keel) support wings Many fused bones Muscular System: Large filament muscles for strength Flight muscles = 50% weight Metabolism: Very fast metabolism Temperature: F Rapid breathing Generate heat to warm body internally Need large quantities of food Cant go long periods of time w/o eating Layer of fat for insulation Endothermic metabolism: Digestive System: Passage of food: Mouth Esophagus Crop Two-part stomach Small intestines Large Intestines (Caeca) Cloaca Proventriculus Gizzard Large Intestine Esophagus StomachStomach Crop: Storage for food; where its moistened Proventriculus: First part of stomach; where digestion starts Gizzard: Helps kneed the food (eat pebbles to help crush food) Small Intestines: Where most food is digested, absorbed and broken down by enzymes and bile Large Intestines: (Caeca/um) Water absorbed, waste separated from nutrients Cloaca: Where everything comes together 45 MINUTES TO DIGEST & REMOVE!!! **Crop Has Been Removed Gizzard with Pebbles Lower Digestive System Excretory System: Filters nitrogenous wastes from blood with kidney Urine contains uric acid (white) NO URINARY BLADDER=LIGHTER FOR FLIGHT Respiratory System: Elaborate and highly efficient Needs lots of oxygen continuously High metabolic rate Passage of air: Pair of nostrils Located near base of beak Trachea Where air passes after entering nostrils Bronchi 2 bronchi, air goes in second; lead to air sacs Lungs 75% bypasses lungs Air Sacs 9 air sacs, extend from lungs; reduces density; stores air TRACHEA Esophagus Circulatory System: 4 Chambered Heart 2-A 2-V (THICK) Septum-Divides VentriclesNO MIXING Humming Bird 600 times/minute Chickadee 1000 times/minute A V SEPTUM Oxygenated blood (red) is pumped from the lungs to various parts of the body; Deoxygenated blood (blue) is returned for recycling. Nervous System: Very Large Brains Coordinated movement Contains large optic lobes (very good color) Wide field of vision Excellent depth perception Reproduction: Males: Sperm is produced in 2 testes Sperm passes through small tubes called vasa deferntia into the phallus to the cloaca Mating male presses his cloaca to the female cloaca and releases sperm Retracted and Erect phallus of a male Females: Single ovary on left side of body Ovary releases eggs into oviduct where theyre fertilized Fertilized eggs move down the oviduct where they receive a protective covering and shell Egg passes out cloaca For most birds, copulation involves a cloacal kiss, with the male on the female's back & twisting his tail under the female's -Copulation typically lasts just a few seconds Oviparity: Lay eggs in nest which conceals young from predators & provides shelter Parental Care: Both parents incubate eggs by sitting on them Feathered patch of skin (brood patch) for covering Migration: When cold and food is scarce-fly south Diversity of the species: Use beak, feet, plumage & DNA to classify Navigation: Use stars & sun; earths magnetic field; changes in air pressure; low frequency sounds; topographical landmarks