31-2 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 (birds are related to reptiles) 8. Furculum (wishbone)

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

Types of feathers Down feathers - provide insulation * birds are endothermic

Contour feathers - cover head and body, provide coloration Flight feathers - on wings and tail, provide lift

Feathers are covered in oil to keep them waterproof - secreted from a preen gland

Camera mounted on an eagle’s back.

Evolution of Birds (from reptiles) ● Archaeopteryx - “ancient wing” ● Reptile like - Had teeth, 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

1. Furculum (wishbone) 2. Keel - shaped sternum Bones are shaped different in birds. But they have all the same bones as other vertebrates. 3. Tailbone (pygostyle) for feather attachment.

Does a bird’s knees point backwards?

Quick Check - What do you remember about birds? 1. The study of birds is called a. herpetology b. myxomycology c. ornithology d. aviology 2. The word “archaeopteryx” means: a. “dino-bird” b. “ancient wing” c. “toothy bird” d. “mean beak” 3. What type of feathers are used for insulation? _____________ 4. The wishbone of the bird is called the ___________________ 5. Unlike modern birds, the archeopteryx had: a. feathers b. scales c. 2 sets of wings d. teeth 6. The sternum of a bird is shaped like a: a. keel b. heart c. disk d. trapezoid 7. Birds keep their feathers waterproof by using a __________ gland. 8. Colored feathers on a bird’s head and body are called ___________ feathers.

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

Mouth  esophagus  crop  stomach/gizzard  small intestine  large intestine  cloaca

Other systems Respiration ● Mouth --> trachea --> air sacs --> lungs Circulation ● 4 chambered heart (double-loop system) Excretion ● Kidneys (uric acid) & Cloaca

Nervous System - response ● Well developed 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 Forelimbs modified for flight = wings Collarbones are fused making a strong base for flight muscles - fused bone is the furculum

Excretion Like other animals, birds uses their KIDNEYS to filter waste from the blood. Urine often mixes with solid wastes as it leaves the body through the cloaca. This caterpillar looks like bird poop. Excellent camouflage!

Reproduction ● Internal Fertilization + Amniote Egg ● Incubation in a nest ● “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.

Some babies IMPRINT on the first thing they see. Whooping crane with human foster parents, David Attenborough

Bird Groups Song Birds (most numerous) Wading Birds (long legs) Falcons (raptors) Water Birds (webbed feet) Running (flightless) Birds Fowl (chickens) + Many other groups

Which one of these is not like the others?

Can you name these birds?

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.