Flying into your heart...AVES

Who can resist feathers adapted for flight?

http://www.manhattanbirdclub.com/birds.jpg

Where I build my nest...

anywhere you are, I'm there! You like the cold, cool. You like the warm sunshine, sounds fun. Anywhere terrestrial is good for me...even the water!

http://www.penguins.cl/penguin/gentoo-penguins.jpg

How I spend my days...         it depends who you are asking. My penguin buddies dive into the ocean for food, owls hunt and party all night, hawks and falcons speed through the skies, and ostriches like to run all day!  For most aves, we enjoy flying the most...and who wouldn't?

http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/media/161/birds-of-north-america_T4868.jpg

Why am I so special?

• evolved from reptiles during Mesazoic erao we have been around for a while, and have outlasted

most• huge selection of mates

o  9000 species, all available• ability to FLY

o how many squirrels can actually do that?• one way breathing system

o better to reach you faster!

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/554images/dino_bird_resp2.jpg

One wing above the rest...

• featherso  insulationo enable flighto modified epidermis

• billso covered with keratin

• furcula (wishbone)o prevents damage to chest cavity during stroke of wings

• lightweight boneso easier for flight

• four chambered hearto high metabolic rate

• advanced internal GPS systemo never get lost on a date again

http://www.hsu.edu/uploadedImages/Biology/chicken%20front%20labels1.jpg

Wanna share my nest?If you are willing to incubate our eggs, sing me a tune. We may be together forever or just until Junior takes flight, but I can handle any length  of a relationship, can you?

http://www.ornithology.com/images/BabyBirds_Miller_061705.jpg

Bibliography

"Aves" Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 2001. 27 April 2008      <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Aves.html> Overview of Aves class maintained by the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Easy to understand and simple navigation allow for quick finding of information.   Davidson, Michael W. "Bird Lung" Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer. The Florida State University. 1 Aug. 2003. 27 April 2008.     <http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/techniques/fluorescence/gallery/birdlung.html>Detailed site about the bird lung. It explains how the lung transfers oxygen and where it flows within the bird. Maintained by the Florida State University.  "Introduction to the Aves". University of California Museum of Paleontology. 27 April 2008.     <http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/birds/birdintro.html>Very in-depth site covering the fossil records, geneology, body structure, and much more. Maintained by the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP).  Klappenbach, Laura. "Birds (Aves)". About.com. 27 April 2008.           <http://animals.about.com/od/birds/p/aves.htm>Outlined adaptations of birds, including why they are important. Basic and more in-depth information for simple research or further study. Strong amount of statistics about the types of birds.