1. Bird Notes

2. Taxonomy Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Chordata Subphylum – Vertebrata
Class – Aves
Orders – 28 of them!
About 9,600 species of birds!
290 species visit Cook County – you will learn about 50 of them

3. Major Characteristics
Long necks (balance & food gathering)
Paired forelimbs usually for flying (wings)
Feathers (different kinds)
Thin skin, scales on legs, no sweat glands
Hollow bones, beak with no teeth
Endothermic (warm-blooded)
No urinary bladder (solid uric acid instead of urine!)
Separate sexes, internal fertilization (females
determine sex of offspring
- ZW, males ZZ)

4. Bird Reproduction Amniotic Egg (hard shell)
More advanced than reptiles
Chalaza – suspends yolk in the egg
Incubation is external
Monogamous (90%) or polygamous (10%)
Seasonal monogamy

5. Bird Classification VERY similar to Reptiles BUT:
Only animal with feathers
Only vertebrate animal that truly flies (except bats)
How Classified? Very difficult… So, Scientists use:
Body structure
Beak differences
Foot structure
Behavior/Songs
28 Orders of Class Aves

6. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Passeriformes (“sparrow form”)
Largest order (~7,000 species, most diverse)
Small to medium size
Perching, song birds
Examples: Sparrows, Cardinals, Swallows, Ravens, Crows, Jays, etc.

7. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Podicipediformes (“rump foot form”)
Grebes only
Marine Bird
Only 18 species

8. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Piciformes (“woodpecker form”)
Woodpecker
Toucans
Barbets and Jacamars
380 species

9. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Casuariiformes (“cassowary form”)
Emus, cassowaries
Big, flighless firds
3 related orders (ostriches, rheas, kiwis)

10. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Ciconiiformes (“stork form”)
Tall waders (herons, storks, flamingos, ibises)
Long neck, long legs
90 species

11. 6 Bird Orders You Need to Know
Order Falconiformes (“falcon form”)
Diurnal (daytime) birds of prey
Strong fliers, keen vision
Eagles, hawks, falcons, condors
270 species