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
What are the 5 families within the order Pelecaniformes?
1.Phaethontidae
2. Pelicanidae
3. Fregatidae
4. Sulidae
5. Phalacrocoracidae
What are the defining characteristics of the family Phaethontidae?
Tropicbirds:
- Long tail streamers
- Plunge divers or surface feeders
- Pan-tropical distribution
What are the defining characteristics of the family Pelecanidae?
Pelicans:
- Extensible membrane in the floor of the lower mandible
- Plunge-divers / surface dippers
- Warm temps.
- Subtropical areas in northern hemisphere
What are the defining characteristics of the family Fregatidae?
Frigatebirds:
- Pan-tropical distribution
- Huge broad wings
- Hovering
- Kleptoparasitic
- NEVER sit on or enter the water
- Soar on thermals
What are the defining characteristics of the family Sulidae?
Boobies and gannets:
- Long strong tapering bills
- Brightly colored facial skin, feet, and bills
What are the defining characteristics of the family Phalacrocoracidae?
Comorants:
- Mostly black, long necks, short broad wings
- Foot propelled underwater swimming
- Coastal feeders
How many families are within the order Charadriiformes?
4
What are the 4 families within the order Charadriiformes?
- Stercorariidae
- Laridae
- Rhynchopidae
- Alcidae
What are the defining characteristics of the family Stercorariidae?
Skuas:
- Breed exclusively in high latitudes
- Partial Kleptoparasites
What are the defining characteristics of the family Laridae?
- Gulls and terns
- Forked tails
What are the defining characteristics of the family Rhynchopidae?
Skimmers:
- Uneven bills: Lower mandible longer than upper mandible
- 3 species
What are the defining characteristics of the family Alcidae?
Auks:
- Wing-propelled pursuit divers
- Compact bodies
- Northern hemisphere
- Bones are not pneumatic
- Pursuit diving
