University:
Michigan State University
Course:
BS 162 | Organismal and Population Biology
Academic year:

2021
Views:

474

Pages:

2
Author:

palangresq3v

Birds There are many groups of animals. Birds are in one group, called a Class. Though birds may look very different from each otter, they share some common traits. Birds have feathers instead of hair or fur. They are the only animal group that has feathers as their body covering. Birds have a beak or bill instead of teeth. Instead of biting and chewing their food, they tear off pieces with the beak or talons (clawed feet) and swallow it whole. The food is stored in the crop to slow digestion, then passed into the stomach to mix with digestive juices. From there it passes into a muscular gizzard that grinds it down for digestion. Birds have wings instead of front feet or arms. Many have large, well developed chest muscles for flight. They also have hollow bones to make their skeleton lighter. Birds are warm blooded. Birds do not have live young, like mammals, but lay eggs. Most birds build some kind of nest and take care of their young, feeding them until they are old enough to find their own food. Many birds fly south to warmer climates in winter (migrate) and return north in summer to feed and nest. Some birds are flightless, such as the ostrich or penguin. They have other ways to protect themselves, than flight. Some run fast or swim or just have a powerful kick. Bird Traits Birds are one group (Class) of animals. They share some important traits. 1) Birds are the only animals with feathers. 2) Birds have beaks instead of teeth. 3) Birds have wings instead of front feet or arms. 4) Birds are warm-blooded. 5) Birds do not give birth to live young like mammals, but lay eggs. 6) Most birds take care of their young, feeding them until they can find their own food. 7) Most birds build nests. 8) Many birds fly south to warmer climates in winter (migrate) and return north in summer to feed and nest. 9) Most birds can fly. To make this possible, they have large chest muscles for wing power and hollow bones to make them lighter. 10) Some birds are flightless, including the ostrich, emu, rhea, cassowary, kiwi, penguins. They nest on the ground. Flightless birds have other other ways to protect themselves, since they cannot fly away. Some are fast runners or strong swimmers and some can kick. There are many groups of birds (called Orders): Emus, Rheas, Ostriches, Kiwis, Cassowaries Loons Hummingbirds Kingfishers Woodpeckers Herons Geese, Swans and Ducks Doves and Pigeons Macaws and Parrots Grouse, Quails, Pheasants, Turkeys Songbirds Owls Sandpipers and Seagulls Hawks, Eagles and Vultures