Birds Flashcards
1
Q
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Origin and Taxnomy
A
- Archaeopteryx is the fossil link between birds and dinosaurs, with reptilian claws, boned tail, teeth and bird-like feathers and wings
- Animalia, Chordata, Aves
- 27 orders
- 10,000+ species
2
Q
Flightless birds
A
- Evolved from flying ancestors
- Enabled by reduced predation risk
- Ostrich (Strutheioniformes) - largest living bird
- Kiwi (Apterygiformes) - nocturnal, good sense of smell
- Penguins (Sphenifsciformes) - anatartic dwellers, fish-eaters fin-like wings
3
Q
Water birds
A
- Webbed or lobed feet
- Dense plumage
- Usually waterproof
- ust breed on land
- Marine, coast or freshwater dwellers
- Blackfooted Diver (Gaviformes), Little Grebe (Podicipediformes)
4
Q
Order Procellariiformes
A
- Water birds
- consists of Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters
- All are pelagic (sea birds)
- Long-lived, 30-40 years
- Gland in nose gets rid of excess salt
5
Q
Birds of prey
A
- Falconiformes, Accipitriformes (Eagles, kites, osprey and vulture) and Strigiformes (owls)
- Talons and hooked beaks
- Forward-facing eyes
6
Q
Wading birds
A
- Charadiiformes (includes curlews, sandpipers, plovers, godwits and stints)
- Long legs and probing bill
- Habitat of mud and wet areas
- Feeding on worms, molluscs etc
- Adaptive radiation in beak (medium feeder, deep prober, warer sweeper etc)
7
Q
Songbirds
A
- Order Passiiformes
- 5200 species, largest order
- Perching diverse irds
- Song used for communication
8
Q
Plumage colour
A
- Sexual signals
- Provide camaeflage
- Usually feathers but sometimes bill
9
Q
Breeding and chicks
A
- Nest-laying
- Bi-parental care
- Incubation
- Chicks fed by both parents
- Precocial-downy, can thermoregulate and feed themselves (ducklings)
- Allricial - naked and blind, cannot thermoregulate or feed themselves
10
Q
Social behavior
A
- Form social flocks in many species
- colony breeding
- Roosting in groups
- Foraging in groups
- Seasonal migration
