1. Diomedeidae
Albatrosses

2. Natural History
22 species and 17 are threatened: threats include invasive bird species taking over nesting colonies, commercial fishing areas taking over feeding sites, eating trash
Genus Diomedea has the largest wingspan of any extant bird (over 11 feet)
Range in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific (They do not reside in the North Atlantic but fossil remains show they once did)
Mate for life-elaborate courtship rituals
Colonial birds-nest on remote islands
Have one egg, both parents take turns taking care of it, can fly 1,000 miles to feed chick
Can live to 50 years
Eat squid, fish, fish eggs, floating carrion

3. Characteristics
Major synapomorphy: Strong, thick bill and the upper mandible forms a hook. The bill is made up of bony plates, and two tubes run along each side of the bill. This gives them an acute sense of smell that they use to locate food.
They have 3 anterior toes that are webbed, no hind toes. As much as they fly, they actually walk really well on land.
Long wing span/weak flight muscles
One species contains a high concentration of rhodopsin, which is a light sensitive pigment that helps elevate nocturnal vision, enabling them to spot squid at night

4. Adaptations for Flying
Rarely flap their wings
Travel overseas by two ways: dynamic soaring and slope soaring
Travel clockwise or counterclockwise
Shoulder lock: Albatross have a sheet of tendon that locks the wing when it is fully extended and eliminates muscle expenditure. This maximizes flying abilities without expending energy.
Their heart rate while flying is almost the exact same as their basal heartbeat. This ultimately reduces energy expenditure. The only time they are using any energy is taking off, landing and hunting.

6. Fringillidae
Songbirds

7. Natural History Finches, Euphonias, Allies Gatherers and seed- eaters
Global distribution and abundant
Migratory and flock- follow seed crops
Sexual dimorphism: males are bright and females dull
Chunky little birds with strong legs-hop on the ground, cannot walk
Females build the nests, lay 3-5 eggs, can produce several clutches per breeding season
Swift flight, multiple flaps of wings followed by a short glide with wings tucked in

8. Characteristics Short, stout conical bill
Have a special groove on the inside of their beak where seeds are lodged while they are breaking it open
Each species has a distinct bill
Strong skull
Large jaw muscles
Specialized crop

10. Sources
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