BIRDS
CH. 34.2
I. Characteristics
A. Class Aves.
9,000
species
Only organisms with
feathers.
Endothermic [warm-blooded]
Have clawed toes with
scales on the feet.
Bones are thin and hollow.
Internal fertilization with
amniotic eggs.
No teeth present.
Have bills or beaks.
B. Ornithology
The study of birds.
II. Feathers
A. Are modified scales
that provide:
1.
Insulation
2. For flight
B. Preening
The process of a bird
running its bill through
its feathers to keep
them from drying out.
C. Molting [to molt]
The shedding and
replacing of old feathers.
Usually occurs in late
summer.
D. Types of Feathers
1. Contour
Used
in flight.
Found on the body, wings,
and tail.
2. Down
Found
under the contour.
Insulate the body.
3. Parts of a Contour Feather
a. quill
Hollow
cylinder filled with a
jellylike substance.
b. shaft
Middle
section.
c. barbs
Tiny
branches off the shaft.
d. barbules
Tiny
branches off the barbs.
Hooked to connect the barbs.
e. vane
The flat surface of the
feather.
III. Adaptations for Flight
A. modified front limbs into
wings.
Variety
of shapes and sizes.
B. sternum [breastbone]
Where
flight muscles are
attached.
C. Much energy is required for
flight.
Several
factors create this energy:
1. 4-chambered heart
2. Endothermic
*NOTE*
Feather insulation REDUCES heat
loss.
Holding feathers out and “panting”
INCREASE heat loss.
3. Eating large amounts
of food.
D. The Digestive System
a. adapted for dealing with
large amounts of food.
The
gizzard grinds up food
with the aid of ingested small
stones or sand.
IV. Bird Adaptations
A. Four Groups of Birds:
{based on four adaptive
feet type}
1. PERCHING
--robins, sparrows,
blue jays
2. SWIMMING
--ducks and geese
3. FLIGHTLESS (walking)
--ostrich, penguin and emu
4. CATCHING PREY
--eagles and hawks
B. Beak Adaptations
Beaks are a reflection of how
birds eat.
Examples:
Pelican-
pouched.
Hawk- curved beaks to tear prey.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Goldfinch-
short and stout
to crack seeds.
Hummingbirds- long and
needle-like for “dipping”
into flowers.
V. Development
A. eggs are laid in a nest.
B. one or both parents
incubate them by covering
them with a patch of
featherless skin {a brood
patch}.
VI. Communication
A. “calls” are used to:
1.
Attract a mate
2. Warn others
VII. Protection
Three ways of protection:
1.
Flight
2. Camouflage
3. fighting
VIII. Miscellaneous Facts
Smallest bird=hummingbird
[2”]
Largest bird, fastest bird, and
biggest eggs= ostrich [8’tall,
300lbs., 37 km/h]
Largest nest= bald eagle
Highest flyer= bar headed
goose [25,000 ft.]
Deepest underwater diver=
common loon [160 ft. deep]
Common Loon
IX. Birds as Symbols
A. Bald Eagle=
USA
B. Dove= “peace”
C. Owl= “wisdom”
THE
END