Birds

• Eukarya Domain• Animalia Kingdom• Chordata Phylum – Vertebrate• Aves Class - Birds

Characteristics of Birds

• Feathers – Keep birds dry, warm, allow them to fly, and are used to attract mates

• Birds molt or lose old feathers and grow new ones

• Two main types of feathers – down feathers and contour feathers

• Birds need a lot of energy to fly• Birds can breakdown food fast to provide

them with heat and energy

• Birds eat foods that are high in protein and fat• Birds do not chew, instead food is broken

down in the gizzard so it can be easily digested in the intestine

• Birds use their wings and powerful flight muscles to fly

• Birds also have a rapid heart beat to move blood and oxygen to flight muscles

• Birds raise their eggs in a nest• Birds brood or sit on their eggs until they are

ready to hatch• Precocials are birds that are active soon after

hatching such as chickens and ducks• Altricials are birds that are weak and helpless

after hatching. They hatch out with no feathers and their eyes closed. Parents care for them for several weeks. Examples are hawks and robins