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Feathers Flashcards

1
Q

What is the earliest avian fossil to date ?

A

Archaeopteryx.

155-150 mya. Late Jurassic

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2
Q

Archaeopteryx was capable of sustained flight

True or False ?

A

False

Would instead climb and glide between trees.

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3
Q

Why are fossils like Archaeopteryx important ?

A

Show the early separation in the Reptile and Ave taxonomic groups.

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4
Q

Give the reptilian characteristics of Archaeopteryx.

A

Toothed Beak
Winged claws
Long tail with many vertebrate

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5
Q

Give the Avian characteristics of Archaeopteryx

A

Feathers

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6
Q

What is the defining feature of the class Aves ?

A

Feathers

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7
Q

What are feathers a modification of ?

A

The outer skin, they evolved from scales.

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8
Q

What protein are feathers made from ?

A

Keratin

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9
Q

Give the key features of feathers

A

Strong but lightweight
Flexible
Softer than scales
Waterproof

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10
Q

The number of feathers is roughly consistent with the…..

A

Species of bird.

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11
Q

Give an example of the immense feather diversity of Aves.

A

Ruby throated hummingbird- 940
Whistling swan (artic bird)
25,000

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12
Q

List the 5 types of feather.

A 
Contour 
Down 
Semiplume
Bristle 
Filoplume
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13
Q

Where are the contour feathers found ?

A

On the outer surface of the bird

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14
Q

What are the key roles of the contour feathers ?

A

Defence- Vegetation & UV

Visual colouring

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15
Q

Name the contour flight feathers

A

Remiges

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16
Q

Name the contour tail feathers ?

A

Retrices

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17
Q

Which feathers give a birds characteristic smooth round shape ?

A

Contour feathers.

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18
Q

Which 2 ways can birds achieve visual colourings ?

A

Pigments or structures on the contour feathers

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19
Q

What are melanin’s ?

A

Black, grey, tan colourations of the contour feathers

Made by birds

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20
Q

What are carotenoids ?

A

Red, orange, yellow colourations of the contour feathers

In diet of birds

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21
Q

Give an indicator of poor diet in flamingos.

A

Pale colouration

Are not consuming correct carotenoids in diet.

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22
Q

How is carotenoid consumption linked to mating ?

A

Bright patches of contour feathers due to carotenoids
Means male is a reliable forager.
Will have ^ diff. repro. success

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23
Q

What are the 2 types of pigmentation in birds ?

A

Carotenoids

Melanin’s

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24
Q

How does reflectance create colour ?

A

Diff sized melanin particles reflect light in diff ways

= different colours

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25
Give an example of interference
Iridescence in hummingbirds.
26
How does interference create colour ?
Hollow structures In the feathers cause light bouncing in and out to interfere with itself
27
Give the 2 structural adaptions of contour feathers which create light
Interference Reflectance
28
Birds eyesight is identical to humans | True or False ?
False, | Birds have an extra cone in their eyes enabling them to see UV
29
How is UV reflectance important to birds ?
They are able to see in UV, therefore will have feather adaptions to reflect UV.
30
List the features of the Contour feather structure
Rachis, Barbs, Barbules and hooks
31
What is the Rachis ?
The hollow central shaft of the contour feather backbone.
32
What are the barbs ?
The extensions of the contour feather either side of the rachis. Pigments are found here.
33
What are barbules and hooks ?
Enable fastening of contour feathers to each other | Providing stiffness and flexibility.
34
Where are Down Feathers found ?
Close to the skin of the bird
35
What is the function of the down feathers ?
Give insulation
36
What was the primary function of feathers when they evolved ?
Insulation purposes | Secondarily adapted to flight
37
Which feather is bigger Contour or Down feathers ?
Contour feathers
38
Down feathers have barbules and hooks | True or False ?
False, they do not interlock together.
39
Describe the shape of Semiplume feathers.
Intermediate shape between contour and down feathers.
40
What is the function of the Semiplume feathers ?
Insulation | Supporting feathers- keep form
41
Describe the structure of bristle feathers.
They are stiff with few barbs
42
Where are bristle feathers found ?
Around the mouth and eyes of some birds
43
What is the function of bristle feathers ?
Act as protective filters- grit, sand | Funnel insectivores towards mouth.
44
Describe the structure of Filoplume feathers.
They are hair like with few barbs at the tip. No muscles at the base Many vibration and pressure receptors.
45
What is the function of the Filoplume feathers ?
To alter the shape of the contour feathers in response to receptor signals Help keep feather form
46
Where are the Filoplume feathers found ?
Usually covered by other feathers.
47
List the 4 functions of feathers.
Attraction Crypsis Insulation Flight
48
Define Crypsis
The ability of an animal to avoid observation or detection by other animals
49
What is the purpose of crypsis ?
Enable prey to escape predators OR Enable predators to consume prey
50
What is Crypsis usually coupled with ?
Behavioural traits
51
Give an example of Crypsis and behavioural traits working together in a species.
Tawny frogmouth owls Crypsis- colouration to blend into branch Behaviour- Extend neck & beak to look like branch
52
Which out of Males or females have a brighter plumage ?
Males. Required to take risk as competition for females.
53
Give the plumage conflict faced by male birds.
Sexual selection and Camouflage
54
Describe how the Mallard (male duck) balances the plumage conflict.
Moulting Will moult into Crypsis brown feathers after breeding season Minimise predation risk.
55
Why are feathers important for insulation ?
Birds are ectothermic | Need to maintain a body temp of 40C.
56
Give the adaptions of birds to seasonal habitats.
Denser plumage in winter | Fluff out feathers
57
What is preening ?
The cleaning of a birds feathers.
58
What is the function of preening ?
``` Restore feather structure (interlock contour feathers) Clean plumage Waterproofing Social benefit ```
59
How do birds waterproof their feathers ?
Apply oils across their feathers from the uropygial gland.
60
What is Allopreening ?
Group preening | Reduced stress and creates bonds
61
Give the 4 other methods of cleaning that birds use.
Bathing Dust Bath Sunning Anting
62
What are the disadvantages of bathing ?
When feathers are waterlogged, it is harder to escape predators.
63
Why do birds sun themselves ?
Softens old oil & Stimulates ectoparasites to move Easier to remove Generate vitamin D
64
What is Anting ?
Where birds place themselves on an ant hill | The ants remove ectoparasites
65
What is moulting ?
The process of feather replacement. Occurs a minimum of once a year.
66
Why does moulting not occur when birds are migrating or breeding ?
Requires large amounts of energy
67
How is the disruption of moulting minimised ?
Completed in a staggered fashion. Predictable sequence 2 minimise impact on wing & tail feathers.
68
Why is moulting important for males ?
Enables replacement of display plumage after breeding season. Decrease predation threat.
69
What are wings ?
Modified forelimbs

Birds (6 decks)

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