Week 16: Body Systems - Birds

Question 1

What feature of their skin makes birds adapted for flight?

Answer 1

It is very thin to reduce their weight

Question 2

What are the functions of the comb, wattle, and cere?

Answer 2

They are highly vascularised structures that help to release body heat

Question 3

What is the function of a snood?

Answer 3

Retractable structure that helps to release body heat
Becomes engorged and hangs down during courtship behaviours

Question 4

How does the cere on a budgie help determine its sex and age?

Answer 4

Males have a blue cere, females have a brown cere
Juveniles have a pink cere, breeding females have a brown cere

Question 5

Define: “anisodactyl” and describe its function as an adaptation in birds

Answer 5

Foot morphology in which digit 1 points caudally and digits 2, 3, and 4 point cranially
Adaptation for “perching”/grasping branches without using any energy

Question 6

Define: “zygodactyl” and describe its function as an adaptation in birds

Answer 6

Foot morphology in which digits 2 and 3 point cranially, and digits 1 and 4 point caudally
Adaptation for grasping and holding food/climbing

Question 7

Define: “palmate” and describe its function as an adaptation in birds

Answer 7

Foot morphology in which digits 2 to 4 are joined by webbing
Adaptation for swimming/propulsion through water