Birds Flashcards
What determines when birds fly back to MN in the spring?
Temperature
Name a bird that is not native to MN but is common here now
European Starling
What are some adaptations to woodpeckers that allow them to pound on wood and get insects?
Tongue wrapped around brain to prevent damage
Strong bill
How are birds adapted for flight?
Wing feathers ‘stick’ together like velcro to push the air
How are owl feathers different from other birds?
Don’t have feathers that stick together and wind goes through them
What are the characteristics of birds? (8)
Have feathers Horny beak No teeth Large muscular stomach Large, yolked, hard-shelled eggs Extensively care for their young Hollow and strong skeleton Scales on feet
Why do birds preen?
To clean their feathers and keep them in good shape to attract a mate, or to fly better
Bill Adaptations (9)
Probing flowers Drilling into trees Scooping fish Catching fish Straining food from water Capturing prey Cracking seeds Grasping worms Opening pinecones
Feet adaptations
Perching Wading Climbing/Clinging Swimming Preying
Perching Feet
3 claws in front, 1 in back to wrap around branch
Wading Feet
3 claws in front, 1 small one in back
Climbing/Clinging Feet
2 in front, 2 in back for balance
Swimming Feet
Webbed
Preying Feet
Long claws
