Birds and the Origin of Flight

Major Features The Aves or birds contains about 9,000 species, ranking it second only to the bony fish in number of species Feathers  Associated with flight - the major characteristic feature of birds is the capacity for flight.  modified scales

Feathers as Insulation The evolution of feathers may have been important in providing insulation that would help maintain a body temperature higher than that of the surrounding environment.

Feathers and Flight Being airborne, birds have more mobility and access to resources. Not all birds are capable of flight, but flightless birds are evolutionarily derived from flying ancestors.

Adaptations for Flight Things that fly must be made to fit strict specifications. This is why most birds have a similar body shape, even though they live in very different habitats and have very different diets.

Adaptations for Flight Reduction in the weight  hollow construction of the skeleton

Adaptations for Flight Fusion and loss of bones and teeth

Adaptations for Flight Fused clavicles and keeled sternum

Adaptations for flight 4-chambered heart

Adaptations for flight - respiration

Adaptations for Flight Reduced urogenital system

Flight – the basics Lift (airfoil)

Flight – the basics

Birds are theropod dinosaurs