Birds Flashcards
1
Q
There are approximately \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ species of birds known. A) 1,000 B) 2,000 C) 4,000 D) 9,700
A
D) 9,700
2
Q
Which of the following is not a characteristic of all species of birds? A) flight B) ovipary C) feathers D) four-chambered heart
A
A) flight
3
Q
Why might you surmise that few birds eat leafy vegetative material?
A
It’s too low in calories
4
Q
What birdlike characteristics does Archaeopteryx possess? A) teeth B) a long tail C) feathers D) claws on their front appendages
A
C) feathers
5
Q
The paleognathids include ____.
A
rather large flightless birds
6
Q
The neognathid birds include ____.
A
some flightless birds
7
Q
Flightless neognathid birds typically would be found \_\_\_\_. A) in the prairies of North America B) in the polar regions C) on islands D) in Africa
A
C) on islands
8
Q
The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of modern birds is/are relatively long when compared to reptiles. A) neck B) ribs C) tail D) caudal vertebrae
A
A) neck
9
Q
The archosaur group that is most closely related to the ancestor of the birds includes the \_\_\_\_. A) saurichians B) theropods C) ornithishians D) pterosaurs
A
B) theropods
10
Q
The great adaptive radiation of modern birds occurred during the \_\_\_\_. A) Devonian B) Cenozoic C) Tertiary D) Permian
A
C) Tertiary
11
Q
In birds, urinary wastes are ____.
A
combined with fecal matter
12
Q
Birds that are active immediately after hatching are known as \_\_\_\_. A) altricial B) precocial C) cambered D) polygynous
A
B) precocial
13
Q
The vertebrae of birds that are most freely movable are the \_\_\_\_. A) cervicals B) thoracics C) lumbars D) sacrals
A
A) cervicals
14
Q
The stomach of birds includes the ___, a structure particularly adapted for grinding food.
A
Gizzard
15
Q
Birds lack alveoli, but rather possess, ________ which are one of the sites of oxygen uptake in the lung of the bird.
A
parabronchi
16
Q
The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the part of a bird's eye that is the area of keenest vision, and some birds have two of them. A) pecten B) fovea C) cochlea D) tectum
A
B) fovea
17
Q
Along with an ability to sense the earth’s magnetic field, birds also find their way during migration by ____.
A
visual cues
18
Q
What is the sequence of events in bird reproduction?
A
fertilization, addition of albumin, formation of shell
19
Q
Most birds practice seasonal \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ due to the necessity of caring for the young. A) polyandry B) monogamy C) polygyny D) polygamy
A
B) monogamy
20
Q
Fossils of early birds date back to approximately ___ million years ago.
A
150
21
Q
The feathers and leg scales of birds are ______ in origin.
A
epidermal
22
Q
Birds have three bones in the middle ear. True or False
A
False
23
Q
The portion of the bird feather that emerges from the skin follicle is known as the _____
A
Quill
24
Q
The most minute structure of a contour feather is the vane. True or False
A
False
25
Compared to mammals, the __________ of birds is relatively undeveloped.
cerebral cortex
26
The _____ is a set of feathers on the first digit, which allows a slot on the wing.
alula
27
North American birds often winter in Central and South America; many birds from Europe winter in Africa. True or False
True
28
Members of family ________ include ducks and swans.
Anseriformes
29
The penguins are members of family _________
Sphenisciformes
30
Hummingbirds are members of the family _______
Apodiformes
31
Penguins are considered to be paleognathid birds because they cannot fly. True or False
False (They are not big birds)
32
Most birds molt feathers all at the same time. This makes them particularly vulnerable to predators at this time. True or False
False
33
Bones of birds, which are filled with air cavities, are known as _________ bones. These bony cavities communicate with the respiratory system.
pneumatic
34
Birds possess paired metanephric kidneys, each with thousands of nephrons. True or False
True
35
The corpus striatum is the primary center for coordination in the brain of a bird. True or False
False
36
Although the bird ____ is much shorter than in mammals, birds can hear the same range of sound frequencies.
cochlea
37
Marine birds have evolved special ____ to excrete excess salt consumed with food and sea water.
Salt glands
38
Flight is the result of thrust, from the primary feathers, and ____, from the secondary feathers.
Lift
39
```
Flightless birds evolved ____.
A) from flying ancesters
B) primarily on islands
C) independently among many groups of birds
D) All of the above
```
D) All of the above
40
```
The feathers of birds are ____ in origin.
A) bony
B) non-dermal
C) epidermal
D) hypodermal
```
C) epidermal
41
When did "true birds" first appear
100 MYA
42
What is the significants of Archaeopteryx
First fossilised feathered dinosaur found
43
What was reduced/increase in early crocs to make birds of today
Reduction in Tail/Skeleton/Arms
Increase in Basal metabolic rate/Feathers/Flapping capability/Aerial locomotion/Brain development
44
What are the two groups of living birds
Paleognathae and NeoGnathae
45
Define what a Paleognathae is
Ancient jaws - Large flight-less bird
| Defined by the jaw
46
Define what a Neognathae is
New Jaws - All other birds
| Defined by the jaw
47
Define Gnathae
Mouth
48
What are some advantages of flight
Avoid competition for food - Increased locomotion (Migration) - Avoid predation
49
What are the 2 hyposthesis's for the evolution of flight
Arboreal and Cursoial
50
What is the Arboreal hypothesis for flight
Through climbing -> Jumping -> Gliding from trees, animals developed the ability of flight.
Maybe to avoid predation or to find food
51
What is the Cursoial hypothesis for flight
Running while flapping makes them go faster, this will lead into flight
52
What are the 8 main body modifications for flight
Feathers - Wings - Light skeleton - Large locomotor muscles - Circulatory system - Respiration system - Nervous system - Sensory system
53
What are the 2 main type of feathers
Pennaceous (More asymmetrical with Barbules to join them)
| Plumulaceous (Rough looking, overlap for warmth
54
What are the 5 main parts regarding the feathers on a wing
Alula (Provides lift while slowing down)
Primaries/Primary converts
Secondary/Secondary converts
55
What is the function of Primary/Secondary converts
To smooth the flow of air over the rest of the wing
56
What are the 4 main wing designs
Elliptical - High speed - Active soaring - Passive soaring
57
What are the benefits of Elliptical wing design
Manoeuvrability in forest/bush habitats
58
What are the benefits of High speed wing design
Aerodynamic (Aerial feeders/Long migratory birds)
59
What are the benefits of Active soaring wing design
Ability to use reliable winds over seas
60
What are the benefits of Passive soaring wing design
Lift at low speeds (Over land soaring/Manoeuvrability)
61
What are the 6 modifications that happened to birds skeletons during evolution
Loss of bone in skull - Loss of teeth - Fused vertebrae (Besides neck) - Large sternum - Reduced/fused ferlimbs - Pneumatic bones (Inside the bone)
62
What are the main Locomotor muscles
Pectoralis = Down stroke
Supracoracoideus = Upstroke
Both muscles are under the wing and function on a "rope and pulley" System
63
Briefly describe the Circulatory system of birds
4 chambered heart - Large heart muscles -closed system
64
Describe the 4 steps in a birds respiratory system.
| P=Posterior.)(A=Anterior
1) Air drawn into P air sacs. 2) Air from P air sacs expired via lungs. 3) Air drawn into the A air sacs and a second breath into P air sacs. 4) First breath flows out
65
Briefly describe the nervous/Sensory system of birds
Cephalization
Well developed: Cerebral hemispheres/Cerebellum (Coordination)/Optic lobes (Greater vision)
Nictitating membrane (3rd membrane of eye for protection/moister)
66
What are the general characteristics of an Avian
Amniote - Diapsid - Endotherm - Covered in feathers - Forelimb modified into wings - Keratinised beak - Large eyes - Elongated S-shape neck - Leg scales
67
What are the 2 subclass in Paleognathae
Ratites (Flight-less) Emu
Tinamous (Flight) 75% of paleognathae (Ground nesting)
No real tail feather = Bad at flying
