Taking Flight with Birds

Classification Kingdom Animalia ---Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Aves Aviation = Aves

Background - Aves Success of the class: –Ranges from 8800 – 10,200 species of birds –mammals – 4500 –Reptiles – 7600 Habitats: –Forests, grasslands, rainforest, mountains, deserts, wetlands, ocean (albatross)

Background – Aves Pushing the environment to its maximum…

Characteristics Eight characteristics of ALL Aves: 1.Forelimbs modified into wings 2. Feathers 3. Hollow, lightweight bones 4. Endothermic

Characteristics (cont): 5. Efficient respiration 6. Heart with a completely divided ventricle (two atria and two ventricle) 7. Scaly feet (birds are related to reptiles) 8. Furculum (wishbone)

Characteristics (cont) Find that in this specialized group of animals…structure MUST equal function Flight is a unique physiologic stressor Example: wishbone

External Features - Feathers Feathers are among the most complex structural organs found in mammals. They are integumentary appendages are formed by controlled proliferation of cells in the epidermis (outer skin layer) from a protein called keratin. These fibrous structural proteins form the hard, but non-mineralized structures found in bird feathers, beaks, and claws

External Features - Feathers Three types of feathers: Down feathers - provide insulation *birds are endothermic Contour feathers - cover head and body, provide coloration Flight feathers - on wings and tail, provide lift

External Features - Feathers Water protection – –Form a thin compact oily layer that result in water proof coat Preening- –Process of removing feathers not uniform with contour or insulation

External Features - cont air over a feather is similar to that of a wing

External Features (cont) Color patterns serve as camouflage against predators for birds in their habitats, and by predators looking for a meal.

External Features - Eyes Eye sight is exceptionally well developed Forward position and anterior position No upper facial bone to limit upward or downward gaze

External Features - Eyes Vision is approximately 20/2 –What does that mean?? Able to see a mouse from approximately ½ mile away Cruise at 400 – 1200 feet

External Features - Eyes Central focus in macular field

External Features Beak: –multi-purpose for hunting, manipulation of food, and protection / defense –Often have curve or shape for manipulation

External features - Talons Feet have specialized structures depending upon the purpose: –Balance –Wide base of support – landing on branches –Traction for gripping –Hunting Talons are extremely powerful and sharp –Calcified area for strength / ligand for support –Ligaments to fix into place (solid)

External features - Talons

Development of Birds (from reptiles) Archaeopteryx - “ancient wing” Reptile like - Had teeth in beak, bony tail, claws on wings Bird like = Had feathers, & fused collarbone (wishbone)

Adaptations for flight: Efficient digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems Aerodynamic feathers and wings Strong, lightweight bones Strong chest muscles No urinary bladder to reduce weight

FEEDING -- shape of the beak related to food Examples: Hooked beaks used for tearing meat Long sharp beaks for spearing fish

The shape of a beak and type of feet a bird has can tell you much about its lifestyle What do you think this bird eats? How does its feet help it in its habitat?

Digestive System Birds lack teeth Crop stores and moistens food Gizzard grinds the food Some birds will use their beaks to tear food into bits, most of these chunks of flesh are swallowed whole

Mouth  esophagus  crop  stomach/gizzard  small intestine  large intestine  cloaca

Other systems Respiration Mouth  trachea  air sacs and bones  lungs A one way flow of oxygen Circulation 4 chambered heart (double-loop system) Excretion Kidneys (make uric acid) & Cloaca

Nervous System - response Well develop sense organs A large brain Cerebrum = thinking, decision making Cerebellum = coordinated movement Medulla oblongata = basic body process Optic lobes = vision Olfactory lobes = taste and smell

Movement Flightless (ostrich, penguin…etc) Forelimbs modified for flight = wings Collarbones are fused making a strong base for flight muscles - fused bone is the furculum Air spaces make the bones light in weight Strong chest muscle attach to a keel of the sternum (breastbone)

Reproduction Internal Fertilization + Amniote Egg Incubation “egg tooth”

Many baby birds are born helpless and without feathers. These baby birds require lots of care from their parents.

Some babies hatch with feathers and can follow their mom around, swim and eat on their own.

Some babies IMPRINT on the first thing they see.

Bird Myths If you touch a baby bird, the mother won’t take it back Reality – most birds have a poor sense of smell, there may be other reasons why mom has rejected the baby Turkeys can’t fly. Reality - wild turkeys can fly, just not long distances. Another myth is that turkeys drown in the rain, that one is also untrue.