Taxonomy Flashcards
What are the 4 orders of bird species?
- Sphenisciformes
- Procellariformes
- Pelecaniiformes
- Charadiiformes
What are the defining characteristics of the order Sphenisicformes?
- Flightless
- Flattened fused wing bones
- Bones are not Pneumatic
- Forelimbs are modified flippers
- 3 layers of feathers
- Layer of fat below skin
Where are the species of the order Sphenisciformes exclusively found?
The southern hemisphere
What order could potentially share a common ancestor with Sphenisciformes?
Procellariiformes
How many families are within the order Procellariiformes?
4
What are the 4 families within the order Procellariiformes?
- Diomedeidae
- Procellariidae
- Pelecanoididae
- Hydrobatidae
What are the defining characteristics of the order Procellariiformes?
- Tube noses
- No crop in digestive tract
- Lay 1 egg
- Produce stomach oil for feeding chicks
What are the defining characteristics of the family Diomedeidae?
Albatrosses:
- Large with narrow wings
- Largest wingspans of any bird
- left and right nasal tube are separated
- Can lock humerus
How many species groups are within the family Procellaride?
5
What are the 5 species groups within the family Procellariidae?
- Fulmars
- Prions
- Gadfly Petrals
- Shearwaters
- Larger Petrals
What are the defining characteristics of the family Pelecanoididae?
Diving petrels:
- Small
- Short winged
- Feed almost exclusively underwater
- No gliding flight, rapid wingbeats only
- Swim underwater
Where are the species of the family Pelecanoididae exclusively found?
The southern hemisphere
What are the defining characteristics of the family Hydrobatidae?
Storm petrels:
- Smallest seabirds
- Nest in burrows and crevices
- Low wing loading
What are the defining characteristics of the order Pelecaniformes?
- 4 toes connected by Webbs
- Salt glands
- Slit-like external nostrils
- Gular pouch (except in tropicbirds)
How many families are within the order Pelecaniformes?
5