Transcript Bird Notes - Avon Community Schools

Birds
Diversity
 Diversity
 Birds
are found in every niche/habitat on
Earth.
This
makes them the most diverse class of
terrestrial vertebrates.
 Birds
feed on nectar, plants, seeds, insects,
rodents, fish, rotting animal flesh/decaying
matter, or other birds.
Diversity
 Diversity
 Range
in size from the tiny hummingbirds to
the huge Ostrich and Emu.
 There are about 8,800–10,200 living bird
species
 About 120–130 more species have become
extinct in the span of human history in the
world,
Diversity
 Diversity
 Most birds are diurnal (active during the day).
Some birds are nocturnal (night hours) or
crepuscular (twilight hours).
 Many birds migrate long distances to utilize
optimum habitats (e.g., Arctic Tern)
While
others spend almost all their time at sea
(e.g. the Wandering Albatross).
 Some,
such as frigate birds, stay aloft for days
at a time, even sleeping on the wing.
General Characteristics
 Respiratory system
 Birds
have a high oxygen demand (because of
high metabolic rate)
 They meet this by having as respiratory system
more efficient than that of a mammal or a
reptile.
 Birds ventilate their lungs by means of
posterior and anterior air sacs (typically nine)
General Characteristics
 Respiratory system
 Three
sets of organs involved in respiration:
the
anterior air sacs
the lungs
the posterior air sacs
 The
posterior and anterior air sacs expand
during inhalation.
 Air enters the bird via the trachea.
 A diaphragm is absent in birds
General Characteristics
 Circulatory system
 Four
chambered hearts, just like humans
 Allows for efficient nutrient dispersion
throughout the body which provides birds with
the energy they need to fly and lead highly
active lives.
FYI:
A hummingbird's heart beats at a rate of 1000
beats per minute, that is about 16.5 beats per
second
General Characteristics
 Digestive system
 Very
high metabolic rate
 Why?
To keep up with their constant need for energy
(constantly mobile)
 Bony
beak with no teeth
 Possess gizzard (for grinding food)
 Complete digestive tract
Includes
stomach, gizzard, intestine, anus, mouth
General Characteristics
 Flight
 Characterized primarily by feathers, forelimbs are
modified as wings
 Some birds are flightless
 Include: penguins,
ostrich, kiwi, and the extinct Dodo
 Flightless
species are vulnerable to extinction
 Adaptations for Flight
 Hollow bones
 Large
wing span
 Great sight and/or hearing
General Characteristics
 Process whereby a chick acquires feathers until it
can fly is called "fledging".
 Types of feather
 Contour feathers are the predominant feathers
covering the bird's body.
 Can be
 Covert
 Cover
divided into flight feathers and body feathers
feathers are small contour feathers
the bases of the wing and tail feathers.
 Semiplume
insulation.
feathers are important in thermal
General Characteristics
 Types of feather
 Filoplumes
have a long fine shaft and short barbs or
barbules.
 Provide sensory
information about the position of adjacent
contour feathers.
 Down
feathers are fluffy feathers that may be found
over the entire body
 Used
for insulation
 Powder-down
feathers shed a white waxy powder
composed of keratin.
 Form a
waterproof barrier for contour feathers.
General Characteristics
 Reproduction
 Oviparous
(lay hard-shelled eggs)
 Some birds, such as pigeons, geese, and RedCrowned cranes, remain with their mates for
life (or for a long period) and may produce
offspring on a regular basis.
General Characteristics
 Social systems and parental care
 Birds
are polyandry, polygyny, or monogamy
Monogamy is seen in approximately 91%
of all bird species.
Monogamous species of males and females pair for
the breeding season.
In some cases, the individuals may pair for life.
 Ex:
geese, most pigeon species
Male
birds are just as adept at parental care as
females.
General Characteristics
 Birds and Humans
 Important
food source for humans
Birds grown
for human consumption are referred to as
poultry.
 Birds
long been used by humans to perform tasks.
Homing
pigeons were used to carry messages
Falcons are still used for hunting
Canaries were used in coal mines to
indicate the presence of
poisonous gases
General Characteristics
 Birds and Humans, cont.
 Pets
 Parrots, parrotlets, canaries
 Bird
can carry diseases that can be contracted by
humans
Include salmonella, Newcastle's disease, avian
tuberculosis, and the avian influenza
Classification
 Classification
 Birds
form a class, whose scientific name is
Aves.
 The earliest known species of class Aves is
Archaeopteryx lithographica, from the Late
Jurassic period.
Classification
 Classification, cont.
 Modern
birds are divided into two
superorders:
1. Paleognathae—mostly flightless birds

Ex: ostriches, emus, kiwi
Classification
 Classification, cont.
 Modern
birds are divided into two
superorders:
2. Neognathae—containing all other birds

Ex: ducks, albatross, loon, penguins, pelican, stork,
falcon, quail, crane, dove, pigeon, parrot, owl,
hummingbird, woodpecker)