BirdsBirds

Scientific Classification:Scientific Classification:

Birds are from class Birds are from class AvesAves, which means , which means strangely enough… Birds!!! strangely enough… Birds!!!

Kingdom – AnimaliaKingdom – AnimaliaPhylum – ChordataPhylum – Chordata

Subphylum – VertebrataSubphylum – VertebrataGroups – Amniota, Diapsida, Archosauria, Groups – Amniota, Diapsida, Archosauria,

Dinosauria, TheropodaDinosauria, TheropodaClass - AvesClass - Aves

(9)(9)

Symmetry Of Birds:Symmetry Of Birds:

Birds have bilateral symmetry. If you cut a bird Birds have bilateral symmetry. If you cut a bird in half, something that is not normally in half, something that is not normally

practiced, you will get two mirror shape practiced, you will get two mirror shape halves. (9)halves. (9)

Birds’ PhylumBirds’ Phylum::

Chordata Phylum – consists of mammals, Chordata Phylum – consists of mammals, reptiles, birds, bony fishes, and othersreptiles, birds, bony fishes, and others

Dinosaurs – the common ancestors of birds and Dinosaurs – the common ancestors of birds and reptilesreptiles

Amniotes – mammals, birds, and reptilesAmniotes – mammals, birds, and reptiles

Last common ancestor of birds and mammals – Last common ancestor of birds and mammals – Carboniferous period (360-300 MYA)Carboniferous period (360-300 MYA)

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Birds’ Phylum:Birds’ Phylum:

Derived Characteristics:Derived Characteristics:

Most characteristics are flying adaptations: (1, 9)Most characteristics are flying adaptations: (1, 9)

- The presence of wings and feathers.The presence of wings and feathers.- Four – chambered heart = fast metabolism.Four – chambered heart = fast metabolism.- Fast metabolism = more energy for flying.Fast metabolism = more energy for flying.- Bigger brains = Excellent visual perceptions.Bigger brains = Excellent visual perceptions.- Lighter hollow bones = better flying skills. Lighter hollow bones = better flying skills.

Derived Characteristics:Derived Characteristics:

Haliaeetus leucocephalus – Also known as the great Bald Eagle.

Birds’ Migration:Birds’ Migration:

A distinct characteristic of many birds is that A distinct characteristic of many birds is that most of them most of them migratemigrate during colder periods. during colder periods. Before migration, many birds increase their Before migration, many birds increase their body fats, and actually body fats, and actually DECREASEDECREASE some of some of their organs. For navigation, birds use different their organs. For navigation, birds use different “tools”, such as internal clock, sun position, “tools”, such as internal clock, sun position, star constellations, and some species’ ability to star constellations, and some species’ ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic fields. sense the Earth’s magnetic fields.

(9)(9)

Differences From Mammals:Differences From Mammals:

The sex (gender) of birds is determined by Z and The sex (gender) of birds is determined by Z and W chromosomes, rather than X and Y, as it is W chromosomes, rather than X and Y, as it is

in mammals. (9)in mammals. (9)

Male Birds – ZZ chromosomes. Male Birds – ZZ chromosomes.

Female Birds – ZW chromosomes. Female Birds – ZW chromosomes.

Male Sparrow (Passer eminibey) Female Sparrow (Passer eminibey)

Evolution Theory:Evolution Theory:

Some theorists believe that birds came from… Some theorists believe that birds came from… dinosaursdinosaurs!!! Most paleontologists see birds as !!! Most paleontologists see birds as

the only clade to survive the extinction. Feathers the only clade to survive the extinction. Feathers were also present in some dinosaurs. (9)were also present in some dinosaurs. (9)

Velociraptor – Velociraptor mongoliensis

!!! Feathers !!!!!! Feathers !!!

Feathers’ functions:Feathers’ functions:- FlightsFlights

- ThermoregulationThermoregulation- SignalingSignaling

- CamouflageCamouflage- Distinguishing Distinguishing between themselves between themselves

(species)(species)

Bald Eagle (Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalusHaliaeetus leucocephalus))

- Commonly known as the U.S.A. symbol. Commonly known as the U.S.A. symbol. - North America – near large bodies of water.North America – near large bodies of water.

- Hunt fish, birds, reptiles, small mammals. Hunt fish, birds, reptiles, small mammals. - Egg is cared for by both parents for 35 days.Egg is cared for by both parents for 35 days.

- Eagles reach maturity in about 4 – 5 years.Eagles reach maturity in about 4 – 5 years.- When breeding they lay between 1 – 3 eggs. When breeding they lay between 1 – 3 eggs.

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Bald Eagle (Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalusHaliaeetus leucocephalus))

House Sparrow (House Sparrow (Passer domesticusPasser domesticus) )

- The most widely spread birds in the world. The most widely spread birds in the world. - Found in urban areas, nest on urban buildings.Found in urban areas, nest on urban buildings.

- Ecological niche is cavity – nesting birds. Ecological niche is cavity – nesting birds. - They move around by flying / walking (jump).They move around by flying / walking (jump).

- Feed on grains, seeds, and small insects. Feed on grains, seeds, and small insects. - Their eggs hatch in 2 – 3, maturity in one year.Their eggs hatch in 2 – 3, maturity in one year.- These birds mate for life, 3 “babies” per year.These birds mate for life, 3 “babies” per year.

(5, 8)(5, 8)

House Sparrow (House Sparrow (Passer domesticusPasser domesticus) )

Ostrich (Ostrich (Struthio camelusStruthio camelus))

- The biggest birds as the biggest birds present. The biggest birds as the biggest birds present. - They cannot fly but they run extremely fast. They cannot fly but they run extremely fast.

- Savannas and desserts in Central/South Africa.Savannas and desserts in Central/South Africa.- Feed on plants, insects, considered ecological. Feed on plants, insects, considered ecological. - Eggs hatch in about 40 days, mature 2-4 years.Eggs hatch in about 40 days, mature 2-4 years.

- When breeding lay from 10 to 70 eggs. When breeding lay from 10 to 70 eggs.

(7, 8)(7, 8)

Ostrich (Ostrich (Struthio camelusStruthio camelus))

Bee Hummingbird (Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenaeMellisuga helenae))

- The smallest living bird in the world today.The smallest living bird in the world today.- Dense forests in Cuba and Isle of Youth.Dense forests in Cuba and Isle of Youth.

- Feeds on nectar, small insects, some plants. Feeds on nectar, small insects, some plants. - Eggs hatch after 16 – 18 days, mature 3 weeks.Eggs hatch after 16 – 18 days, mature 3 weeks.

- When breeding they lay about 2 eggs. When breeding they lay about 2 eggs. - Mother cared for baby for 3 weeks. Mother cared for baby for 3 weeks.

(8)(8)

Bee Hummingbird (Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenaeMellisuga helenae))

Human Uses and Interactions:Human Uses and Interactions:

- Some birds’ eggs and meat are used for food.Some birds’ eggs and meat are used for food.- Various kinds of bird are being domesticatedVarious kinds of bird are being domesticated

- Birds are used as food, pets to messengers.Birds are used as food, pets to messengers.- Bird viruses transfer on human (ex. Ornithosis)Bird viruses transfer on human (ex. Ornithosis)

- Birds’ feathers are often used for decoration. Birds’ feathers are often used for decoration. - Birds’ guanu is often used as a potent fertilizer.Birds’ guanu is often used as a potent fertilizer.

(6)(6)

Fun Facts:Fun Facts:

- During the First World War a post pigeon During the First World War a post pigeon called Cher Ami even lost an eye and a leg, called Cher Ami even lost an eye and a leg, while doing its job. For its bravery it was while doing its job. For its bravery it was

awarded with a Distinguished Service Cross awarded with a Distinguished Service Cross and it had its leg replaced with a wooden one.and it had its leg replaced with a wooden one.- Every year in the U.S.A. over 100 million Every year in the U.S.A. over 100 million

birds die by crashing into windows of birds die by crashing into windows of buildings there.buildings there.

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Pictures Used:Pictures Used: http://www.naturalnews.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/the-birds.jpg

http://www.truuk.nl/truuk.nl/donttrythisathome.jpghttp://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/funny-dog-pictures-bilateral-symmetry.jpg

http://www.bird-wallpapers.com/Eagles/Bald-Eagle-Flying/ http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/11174141.jpg

http://www.designbysamgray.com/images/galeries/birds/fullsize/female_sparrow2_fs.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/11174141.jpg http://www.nzine.co.nz/images/velociraptor_big.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs17/i/2007/138/c/c/Peacock_Feathers_by_ExquisiteDistraction.jpg

http://myfavoritedisease.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/ostrich-07761.jpg http://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/ppimageupload/image37008.JPG

  

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Cummings, 2008. Print

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4. “Bald Eagle Habitat” SeaKing Adventures. SeaKing Adventures, Inc. 1994. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. http://www.seaking.ca/bald_eagle_habitat.htm

5. “House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus).” Living with Wildlife in Illinois. University of Illinois Board of Trustees. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/directory_show.cfm?species=house_sparrow

6. “Bird and Human Relationships.” AnimalAqua.Com. AnimalAqua. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. http://www.animalaqua.com/bird-and-human-relationships-bird/

7. “Birds: Ostrich.” San Diego Zoo. Zoological Society of San Diego. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-ostrich.html

8. All about Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2009. Web 22 Mar. 2010. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1189

9. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird