Ornithology Ornithology The Study of Birds

Habitat In time, birds have adapted to live in diverse regions including: Forests, mountains, deserts, oceans, marshes, and many more Dinosaurs? Ecological Niche = Diversity Penguins, Ostrich, Peregrine Falcon, Arctic Tern, Goldfinch

Food Source Early in earth’s history, birds ate animal food, but seed eating came later They now eat almost everything including: Nectar, roots, grass, seeds, bugs, fish, ….

Importance to Humans and Environment Birds that eat other animals or, predator birds, have an important role in the food chain. They keep rodents under control, helping farmers. Birds help stop the spread of some diseases. Birds spread pollen and seed to help reproduction of plants.

Unique Characteristics For a 170 lb. man to exert as much energy as a bird, he would have to eat 285 lbs of hamburger or double his weight in potatoes. Some have hollow bones to make them lighter Some maintain a body temp of 40 degrees Celsius on cold winter days Some reduce body temp in winter

Skeletal/Support System

Skeleton Modified for flight –Supports flight muscles (pectoral girdle, keel/sternum) –Withstands stress of flight –Wings – fewer, fused digits Reduced mass –Pneumatic bones- major bones hollow with struts, air spaces connected to respiratory system –Fused bones- adds rigidity –Lack teeth- lightweight beak

Fused bones: Brain Case Furcula: pair of clavicles Thoracic vertebrae to ribs Synsacrum: ilium, ischium, lumbar, sacral, and first 6 caudal vertebrae Pygostyle: final few caudal vertebrae Also fused bones in legs and wings Also note: Uncinate processes Sternum/keel Arrangement and reduced number of digits More specifics on handout

Pneumatic Bone Not completely hollow, has struts Connected to respiratory system Major bones of body pneumatic

Main Flight Muscles Pectoralis- downstroke Supracoracodieus- upstroke Complex muscles

Respiration Birds need a steady stream of oxygen to fly, and to be able to release large amounts of CO2 The respiration cycle of a bird is much more effective than a mammals, transferring more air with each breath Basically, birds breath in and out at the same time

Respiratory System Very efficient Unidirectional air flow System of air sacs –Average of 9 –Serve variety of functions Lack muscular diaphragm

Circulatory System Birds have a closed circulatory system. A Closed Circulatory system is a blood circulation system in which blood moves through the body in closed vessels. 4 Chambered Heart 1200bpm (Humming bird flight) – 40bpm (torpor)

Digestive System Crop Gizzard Colic caeca Liver 9AM Pheasant Hunting Starting Time?

Digestive System

Excretory System Bird’s waste systems are much like reptiles Waste is removed from blood from the kidney Then converted to uric acid and put in the cloaca There water is absorbed and bird droppings are formed

Reproductive System 95% of birds are socially monogamous, they pair with one mate for at least the length of the breeding season. Cloaca is the reproductive organ in birds. Eggs are fertilized and given nutrients inside the female before the hard shell forms. Intersexual Selection Sexual Dimorphism Limiting Factors DDT?

Sensory/Nervous system Birds are very intelligent, they must fly at high speeds, catch prey from long distances, and migrate thousands of miles. This demands lots of gathering and processing information Bird senses are more advanced than humans. Birds have great vision, but taste and smell are not as well developed.

Sensory System-Migration Birds have a sixth sense-to migrate It is a magnetic sense; like an internal compass Some few birds, do not have this sense and have learned to use the stars for migration

Examples Flamingo Toucan Humming Bird King Penguin

Feathers Feathers are an adaptation that has enabled them to become successful. Penguins Peacocks Owls Eaglet

Beak Adaptations The beaks are adapted to the kind of food the bird eats. The toucan has a large, strong beak to slice food The long beak of a pelican is ideal for getting fish

Bird Feet Birds have hind limbs used for walking, swimming, running, or perching Front limbs have modified into wings

Endotherms Definition of Endotherms: The heat from within The bird’s body is insulated enough to conserve most of its metabolic energy. They can maintain a constant high body temp

Orders There are 27 orders of birds More than ½ are Passeriformes, which include house sparrows and perching birds Struthionifrmes- Ostriches Casuariiforms- Emus N

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