classification system

• ranges from Kingdom to Species

Kingdom

Phylum

Came

Order

Family

Genus

Species

- formes

example - Passeri(formes)

(all passerine birds)

- idae

example - Mim(idae)

(mockingbirds & thrashers)

Avis - birds

Mammalia - mammals

Osteichthys - Fish

Amphibia - amphibians

Reptilia - reptiles

conduction

convection

radiation

evaporation

how wading birds keep their legs warm

Warm blood runs down one side of the bird's leg from their core. The blood returning to their core is warmed by the incoming blood flowing near it.

define: brood parasites

What is an example of a bird that does this?

Feathers

wings (forelimbs)

beaks (no teeth)

warm blooded (homeotherms)

shortened tail

scales on their feet

toes with nails

walk on back legs

fused bones

lightweight bones (honeycomb inside)

one way air flow

air sacs

4 - chambered heart

warmer temperature

faster heartbeat

chicks that are mobile soon after hatching

they can be vulnerable on the ground, but they move quickly

example: ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, chickens

chicks that are immature at hatching

usually very vulnerable due to their inability to fly

examples: robins, bluebirds, cardinals

1) when baby birds follow along after the first thing they see that moves, usually their mother

2) Rescued birds that associate humans with food 

non-learned behaviors

birds rely heavily on these

non-flying feathers that are on the "hand"

located on both the top and underside of the wings

non-flying feathers located on the "arm"

 located on both the top and underside of the wings

a "sheding" of the bird's migratory / winter feathers

happens in preparation for migration / breeding

occurs in a "pattern" and is on both sides, usually starting at wing tips

tied to season / light amounts per day

brightly colored feathers during breeding

shed once nesting has begun

oil gland used to keep feathers together / used for waterproofing

located on rump

it is the 1st "bird" fossil found

 has:                              

poor flight muscles

claws on its wings

reptilian skull / facial

features

bird most closely related to the archaeopteryx that is alive today

only birds with claws on their wings, which they possess for only a week during infancy

very poor flyers

females selecting the males that show the best potential of surviving and are in the best health.

("dance" ability and song "quality" are indicators of the health level of the male)

(usually, bright colors indicate that the males have reached maturity and are in good health)

upside: not wasting energy migrating

downside: trapped in one environment

upside: less competition for habitats/food

downside: waste of energy 

sun

landmarks

stars

electromagnetic field

polarization of light

the amount of light:                                           

stimulates hormones -> shrinking gonads

-> layering of extra fat     

-> changes of feathers     

light detecting gland

located just below the thin skull

even blind birds respond to light b/c of it

Doves / Pigeons

ex:

Woodpeckers, Flickers

ex:

Hummingbirds, Swifts

ex:

Owls

ex:

Parrots

ex:

Rails, Coots, Cranes

ex:

Gulls, Terns

ex:

hawks, eagles, kites, falcons

ex:

ducks, geese, swans

ex:

herons, egrets, vultures

ex:

Flycatchers, Vireos, Crows, Jays, Swallows, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Kinglets, Thrushes, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Starlings, Waxwings, Tanagers, Cardinals, Blackbirds and Finches

ex: