Birds

Question 1

Give 4 diagnostic characteristics of birds

Answer 1

• Feathers
• Beak with no teeth
• Pneumatised bones
• Unique respiratory system

Question 2

4 functions of flight

Answer 2

Escape predators
Foraging
Migration
Sexual displays

Question 3

3 adaptations to facilitate flight

Answer 3

Feathers and wings
Specialised lungs and air sacs
Enlarged sternum to act as an anchor for flight muscles

Question 4

4 weight saving modifications for flight

Answer 4

Lack of urinary bladder
One ovary
Pneumatised bones
Toothless beak

Question 5

What are feathers and what is found in them aswell as in reptiles

Answer 5

Modified scales - B-keratin

Question 6

What are on the barbules in feathers

Answer 6

Hooks

Question 7

What gland secretes oil for preening

Answer 7

Uropygial

Question 8

Difference in the contour and the downey feather

Answer 8

Contour - Stiff from presence of hooks and contributes to the aerodynamics of flight
Downey - Free form with no hooks and provides insulation

Question 9

What is the aspect ratio

Answer 9

Wing breadth : Wing length

Question 10

What is an airfoil wing and which part of the wing creates that - Primary, Secondary or Coverts

Answer 10

A body that is capable of producing more lift than drag

Question 11

Why do the lungs not expand in birds

Answer 11

No diaphragm

Question 12

Outline the respiratory mechanism

Answer 12

Inhalation brings air into airsacs - upon exhalation air is forced out through the lungs and oxygen is exchanged

Question 13

What are beaks made out of
Give 2 shape examples and species to match

Answer 13

Keratin
Hooked - eagles
Conical - Hawfinch

Question 14

Define digitigrade

Answer 14

Walking on their toes rather than the whole foot

Question 15

If a bird was 3 toed how would you describe them

Answer 15

Tridactyl

Question 16

Before the egg laying in reproduction there is territorial defence, courtship and nest building - how do black grouse courtship

Answer 16

Lekking which is the aggregation of males to engage in competitive displays

Question 17

Purpose of incubation and an adapted feature than female birds have

Answer 17

Regulate egg temperature
Brood patch for skin-skin contact

Question 18

Once the egg has hatched and the period of parental care is over the chicks fledge, disperse and possibly migrate - what triggers migration

Answer 18

Phenological/Seasonal changes

Question 19

What is the purpose of migrations

Answer 19

To optimise availability of food sources and breeding habitat

Question 20

How do birds navigate once migration has begun

Answer 20

Celestial queues

Question 21

Which sub-order is the last ancestor for birds

Answer 21

Therapods

Question 22

Shared reptile-avian feature
What is the occipital condyle - how many do birds and mammals have

Answer 22

The point at which the skull attaches to the vertebral column
Birds have 1 and humans have 2

Question 23

Shared reptile-avian feature
How many ear bones do mammals and birds have

Answer 23

Birds have 1
Mammals have 3

Question 24

Shared reptile-avian feature
Jaw

Answer 24

Birds lower jaw is composed of 5 bones whereas mammals only have 1

Question 25

Shared reptile-avian feature
RBC

Answer 25

Birds have nucleated RBCs

Question 26

Shared reptile-avian feature
Egg (2)

Answer 26

Bird eggs are more calcified
Presence of an egg tooth

Question 27

Shared reptile-avian feature
What membrane moves horizontally across the eye and what are 2 functions of it

Answer 27

Nictitating membrane
Clear debris and Maintain moisture