Aves Flashcards
classification of birds
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Subphylum: Vertebrata, Class: Aves
How many of species of birds
9700 species
Total orders of birds
30 orders
Which is the largest order
Perching birds (Passeriformes)
How many of all the bird species does class Passeriformes have
over 1/2
8 characteristics of modern birds
endothermic, feathers, 4 chambered heart, amniotic egg, wings, hollow bones, scales on legs/feet, beak adapted to specific functions
4 adaptions for flight
bones of forelimbs form wings, large chest muscles anchored to keeled breastbone to power flight, mostly hollow bones, feathers
vulture wing characteristics
large wingspan (over 8 feet), almost v shaped wing shape, very efficient at using wings to catch prey
perching bird wing characteristics
small wingspan (less than a foot), pointed wings, efficient for flying long distances
what is plumage
a birds feathers
purposes of plumage
camo, makes the male stand out for mating
purposes of preening
straightening, cleaning, waterproofs feathers
molting
feathers falling our and being replaces
types of feathers
contour, semiplumes, bristles, down/downy
contour feathers
give smooth, streamlined shape, the colors of the bird
semiplume feathers
slightly fluffy, insulating
bristle feathers
filter dust, protect eyes
down/downy feathers
used to insulated by trapping Boyd heart under feathers
why do birds have such a high metabolism
flying takes a lot of energy
how do we know birds have keen eyesight
their eyes are the largest structure in its head, often eat small prey
birds heart structure
4 chambers: 2 atria, 2 ventrical
purpose of air sacs in birds
ensures a nearly constant supply of O2
bird fertilization
internal
through what structure is a bird egg laid
cloaca
clutch
set of eggs laid
incubation
kept warm
what is an egg tooth used for
to break out of the shell, falls out after hatching
2 types of hatchlings
precocial and altricial
precocial
well formed hatchlings, able to walk/feed themselves; example: ducks, geese
altricial
totally dependent on parents, blind, helpless, must be fed; examples: woodpeckers, pigeons, song birds
where are the cervical vertebrae located? how are they different?
top of vertebrae, under the skull; they aren’t fused
why are the other vertebrae fused?
no muscle energy is spent keeping the vertebral column straight, helps maintain balance when not in flight
keeled breastbone
extension of breastbone. extends outwards, perpendicular to the ribs
what does the keeled breastbone provide?
more surface area for pectoral muscles to attach
syrinx function
organ at base of trachea that produces sounds
3 reasons for birds to sing/call?
mark territory, attract mates, warn of danger
digestive pathway
beak/buccal cavity > tongue> esophagus> crop> proventriculus> gizzard> small intestine> rectum> cloaca
beak/buccal cavity
mouth
tongue
taste buds
esophagus
tube that carries food to stomach
proventriculus
1st pt of stomach; release digestive enzymes(chem digestion)
gizzard
2nd pt of stomach; grinds food with tiny stones(mech digestion)
small intestine
further digestion; duodenum and ileum digestive enzymes from pancreas and bile from liver
rectum
waste created; no urinary bladder, no urinal waste
cloaca
opening where waste exits
liver
produces bile(breaking down fat)
pancreas
secretes digestive enzymes
