19 class aves Flashcards
(avis =
birds
“avian reptiles/dinosaurs”
* Approx. 10,000 living species, making them the worlds most successfully diverse class of tetrapods
class AVES
maintain its body at a metabolically favourable temperature by the use of heat set by its
internal bodily functions instead of relying on environmental temperature (a.k.a. “warm-blooded”)
ENDOTHERMS
the stiff axial shaft
Rachis
hollow and semi-transparent
proximal end
quill (calamus)
flattish, distal portion
vane
comprises the vane
barbs
small hooks in each barb which hold together adjacent barbs.
Barbules
gives the bird its outward
form
Contour feathers
main feathers for flight
Flight feathers
soft tufts hidden behind
contour feathers
Down feathers
hair-like, degenerative
feathers
Filoplume Feathers
of feathers is a highly orderly process.
molting
Feet are covered with
horny epidermal scales
found at base of tail; produces oil that keeps feathers waterproof (hence why you see birds reach their beak to their tail before they groom themselves)
preen gland
Hindlimbs and pelvic girdle are modified for
bipedal (2-legged) locomotion
the reduced tailbones which are fused together
Pygostyle
– boat-like extension of the sternum which anchors the pectoral muscles (which are the main muscles for flight)
keen
largest muscle in bird; produces the downward stroke of wings
Pectoralis major
raises the wings
Pectoralis minor
– In pigeons and doves, the crop can produce a protein-
rick “milk” that ar regurgitated to feed their chicks
crop milk
– (usually 7 to 9 sacs) extensions of the lungs that
connects with air cavities in the bones to fill them with air;
takes up 75% of inhaled air (the remaining 25% goes to the lungs)
air sacs
the voice box of birds; muscular chamber in the
trachea which produces sound.
Syrinx
Kidneys extract waste from bloodstream and excrete it as
uric acid
No urinary bladder or external urethral opening. Uric acid is excreted with feces as a
semisolid waste
Eyes with upper and lower lids, and a 3rd eyelid (called
nictitating membrane
Most males have no penis, so copulation is by meeting
cloacas (called
“cloacal kiss”
(covered with down
feathers and can run and swim right after hatching)
prococial
(naked and unable to see or walk at birth)
altricial
relies on experience and navigational resources from older birds
“Birds of the same feather flock together”
(including penguins) tend to gather in large colonies to nest and rear young
Sea birds
tend to seek isolation for brooding and rearing young
Land birds
“many females”
polygyny
“many males”
polyandry
This refers to newly hatched birds that are naked and blind at birth.
Altricial
This is excreted by avians along with their feces.
Uric acid
These are extensions of the avian lungs that connects with air cavities in bones.
Air sacs
This is the major muscles of flight.
Pectoral muscles
