Lab Quiz Flashcards
Gliding wings
High aspect ratio
Narrow, unslotted wings that are elongated proximally
Allows for high lift, yet low maneuverability
Difficult for bird to take off
Good in open habitats where birds can take advantage of dynamic soaring
Example: Albatross
Soaring wings
Slotted high lift
Broad, deep cambered (curved) wings
Prominent slotting (spaces between feather tips) on the primaries
Useful for slow, efficient flight, i.e., soaring on thermals
Examples: eagles, vultures
Rapid takeoff
Elliptical Wings
Short and broad – have a low aspect ratio
Slotted
Allows for much maneuverability and slow flight
Best utilized in dense habitats like forests
Allows for quick take-offs
Examples: grouse, flycatcher, many songbirds
High Speed Wing
Tapered and pointed – lack slotting
Used by migratory birds, especially waterfowl
Energetically expensive – constant flapping is required to stay in flight
Example: falcons, swallows
Hovering wing
Moves wings in a figure 8 type pattern to continuously hover – a very mobile shoulder joint allows for this movement
Wings can beat 20-80 times per second
Very energetically expensive
Example: hummingbirds
Normal Anisdoactyl Foot
The hallux (hind toe) is behind and the other three toes are in front
Very common foot type!
Use = perching.
**Hallux can be at same level as other toes (incumbent) or raised up on tarsus (elevated)
Zygodactyl Foot
Zygodactyl:
The toes are arranged in pairs, the second and third toes in front, the fourth and hallux behind
Use = holding onto trees.
Example: woodpeckers
Heterodactyl
Like the zygodactyl foot except the inner toe is reversed (digits 3 and 4 face forward, 1 and 2 facebackward)
Only found in trogons
Syndactyl
- The second and third toes (outer and middle) are united for most of their length and have a broad sole in common
Example: Belted Kingfisher
Raptorial Foot
The toes are deeply cleft with large, strong, sharply curved nails (talons)
Use = grabbing prey
Examples: raptor birds (owls, hawks, eagles, etc.)
Palmate or webbed foot
The front toes are united
Use = swimming.
Examples: ducks, some waterfowl, gulls
Totipalmate or fully webbed foot
all four toes are united by ample webs
Use = swimming
Examples: cormorants, blue-footed booby
Semipalmate or half-webbed foot
The anterior toes are joined part way by a small webbing
Use = swimming, surface tension
Example: semipalmated plover
Lobate or Lobed foot
a swimming foot with a series of lateral lobes on the toes
Use = swimming, walking in mud
Examples: pied-billed grebe, American coot
Tridactyl foot
Some birds are missing their first digit, also called the hallux
Example: northern three-toed woodpecker
Didactly foot
Didactyl = “two toed”
It does not have anything to do with the arrangement of the toes
The ostrich is the only bird to have this type of foot
Long bill type
the bill is much longer than the head
Example: sword-billed hummingbird
Food = nectar from flowers
Short bill type
the bill is much shorter than the head
Example: redpolls
Food = seeds
Crossed bill type
the tips of the mandibles cross each other
Example: crossbills
Food = seeds
Stout bill type
the bill is high and wide
Example: gray partridge
Food = seeds
Hooked bill type
the upper mandible is longer than the lower and its tip is bent over the tip of the lower
Example: hawks
Food = flesh
Toothed bill type
the upper mandibular tomium has a “tooth” Example: falcons
Food = flesh
Terete bill type
the bill is generally circular either in cross-section, or when viewed anteriorly
Example: hummingbird
Food = nectar from flowers
Straight bill type
the line along which the mandibles close is in line with the axis of the head
Example: great blue heron
Food = fish and other animals
