Bird Adaptations

Surviving and Thriving in the Sky

Bird AdaptationsBird Adaptations

Bird AdaptationsBird AdaptationsBeaksFeetFeathers

BeaksFeetFeathers

Different Shaped BeaksDifferent Shaped Beaks

Cone shaped Slender, pointed Chisel shaped tip Long, tubular Sharp, tooth-like edge Sharp, hooked Fringed edges Flat and wide at base

Cone Shaped BeakCone Shaped Beak

A cone shaped bill is found in many birds such as finches and grosbeaks. It is a strong beak used for cracking seeds.

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Slender, pointed beakSlender, pointed beak

Thin, slender, pointed beaks are found mainly in insect eaters. They are used to pick insects off leaves, twigs, and bark. This warbler is a good example.

Chisel shaped tipChisel shaped tip

Woodpeckers have strong beaks which taper to the tip, forming a chisel for pecking holes in trees for food or nests. Most feed on insects which live under the bark.

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Long, tubular beakLong, tubular beak

Hummingbirds have long, tubular bills that resemble straws, which they use to sip nectar from flowers.

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Sharp, tooth-like edgeSharp, tooth-like edge

Mergansers, specialized for eating fish, have sharp tooth-like structures on the edge of the bill to hold fish tightly.

Sharp, hookedSharp, hooked

Hawks, owls, and other birds of prey which catch and kill live prey have sharp, "hooked" beaks. These are used to bite the skull or neck and also to tear the body into pieces small enough to swallow.

Fringed edgesFringed edges

The edges of a Mallard's bill are fringed to strain plants, seeds, and small animals from mud and water.

Flat and wide at baseFlat and wide at base Beaks which are flat and wide at the base

are found in birds which catch insects in flight, such as flycatchers. These birds also often have whiskers at the corners of the mouth, which effectively widens the mouth opening, allowing more effective capture of prey.

Beaks which are flat and wide at the base are found in birds which catch insects in flight, such as flycatchers. These birds also often have whiskers at the corners of the mouth, which effectively widens the mouth opening, allowing more effective capture of prey.

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Bird Beaks ReviewBird Beaks Review

Bird Adapations - Beaks Bird Adapations - Beaks

Bird Beaks ReviewBird Beaks Review Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Bird Feet AdaptationsBird Feet Adaptations

Independent, flexible toes for grasping Two forward, two backward for climbing Webbed for swimming Long toes for soft surfaces Talons to capture, kill Strong feet to scratch dirt Strong feet, sharp claws for protection

Independent, flexible toes for graspingIndependent, flexible toes for grasping

SONG BIRDS or PERCHING BIRDS (warblers, thrushes, wrens, etc.) have independent, flexible toes, with one pointing backwards, ideal for grasping perches. They don’t fall when they sleep because a tendon on the backside of the ankle automatically flexes locking their toes around the branch. With feet locked, sleeping birds don't fall. As the bird stands up its feet release.

Two forward, two backward for climbingTwo forward, two backward for climbing

WOODPECKERS have two toes pointing forwards and two backwards; for climbing up, down, and sideways on tree trunks.

Webbed for swimmingWebbed for swimming

WATER BIRDS such as ducks have webbing between their toes for swimming. GULLS also have feet similar to these so they don't sink while walking in the soft sand or mud near the water's edge.

Long toes for soft surfacesLong toes for soft surfaces

WADING BIRDS. The long toes of herons, which spreads the bird's weight over a large surface area, helps them walk on soft surfaces near the water's edge (where wading birds like to eat).

Talons to capture, killTalons to capture, kill

RAPTORS such as hawks, eagles, and owls use large claws (called talons) to capture, kill, and carry prey with their feet.

Strong feet to scratch dirtStrong feet to scratch dirt

Pheasants and chickens use their strong feet to scratch the dirt and leaf litter to uncover seeds and insects.

Strong feet, sharp claw for protection

Strong-legged flightless birds, like the cassowary, protect themselves by kicking with their powerful feet and sharp claws.

Bird Feet ReviewBird Feet Review

Test Your Knowledge!Which type of feet does each bird have?

Heron =

Pheasant =

Great Horned

Wren =

Mallard Duck =

Heron =

Pheasant =

Great Horned

Wren =

Mallard Duck =

FeathersFeathers

Feathers are one of the most prominent features of a bird's anatomy and they are unique to birds. Feathers perform a number of functions for a bird:

1) They provide insulation, body temperature of most birds is maintained at around 40 C;

2) Feathers allow for flight;

3) Feathers control what a bird looks like by supplying the bird with colors. Colors in birds are used for camouflage and attracting a mate(consider the tail feathers of a peacock).

Feathers are one of the most prominent features of a bird's anatomy and they are unique to birds. Feathers perform a number of functions for a bird:

1) They provide insulation, body temperature of most birds is maintained at around 40 C;

2) Feathers allow for flight;

3) Feathers control what a bird looks like by supplying the bird with colors. Colors in birds are used for camouflage and attracting a mate(consider the tail feathers of a peacock).

Feather StructureFeather Structure Feathers have a basic form

of a hollow, central shaft called a rachis and a number of smaller side branches. The side branches are called barbs and are linked together by a set of barbules and their "hooklets" sometimes called 'Hamuli' (this is perhaps best understood by seeing the diagram). The base of the feather - where there are no side branches - is called the quill.

Feathers have a basic form of a hollow, central shaft called a rachis and a number of smaller side branches. The side branches are called barbs and are linked together by a set of barbules and their "hooklets" sometimes called 'Hamuli' (this is perhaps best understood by seeing the diagram). The base of the feather - where there are no side branches - is called the quill.

Types of FeathersTypes of Feathers

Contour feathers Down feathers Semiplumes Filoplumes

Contour feathers Down feathers Semiplumes Filoplumes QuickTime™ and a

Contour FeathersContour Feathers

Contour feathers give the bird its characteristic smooth round shape. They also give the bird its visual coloring and provide a first level of defense against physical objects, sunlight, wind and rain. They are very important.

Down feathersDown feathers

Down feathers are smaller and lack the barbules and their accompanying hooklets so they are not zipped together and do not look as neat. In fact they are soft and fluffy. They provide most of the insulation and are so good at this that mankind for many years collected down feathers from various birds to put into sleeping bags and jackets to help keep us warm.

SemiplumesSemiplumes

Semiplumes are half-way between a contour feather and a down feather. These occur between the contour feathers and help to supply insulation and a certain amount of form as well.

FiloplumesFiloplumes

Filoplumes are very small and have only a very few barbs at their tips. They are believed to have a sensory function, helping birds keep their feathers in order.

Birds in FriendswwodBirds in Friendswwod

Red Tailed Hawk Red Tailed Hawk

Listen to a Red-Tailed Hawk

Birds in FriendswoodBirds in Friendswood

Great Horned Owl Great Horned Owl

Screech Owl Screech Owl

Kestrel Kestrel

Northern Flicker Northern Flicker

Blue Jay Blue Jay

Cardinal Cardinal

Red-headed Woodpecker

House Wren House Wren

Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron

Mourning Dove Mourning Dove

Purple Martin Purple Martin

Killdeer Killdeer

Ruby-throated Humingbird

Robin Robin

Common Grackle Common Grackle

Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird

House Sparrow House Sparrow

Bird Adaptations

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