Birds Classification Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the Kingdom of Birds?

Plantae

Fungi

Protista

Animalia (correct)

What is the Phylum of Birds?

Chordata

What is the Subphylum of Birds?

Vertebrata

What is the Class of Birds?

Aves Signup and view all the answers

Two subclasses of Aves are and .

Archaeornithes, Neornithes Signup and view all the answers

Three superorders of Neornithes are , , and __.

Odontognathae, Palaeognathae, Neognathae Signup and view all the answers

Describe the feature 'ancient jaw' of superorder Palaeognathae.

Modern birds with a primitive palate. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the term 'new jaw' of superorder Neognathae.

Modern birds with a modern flexible palate. Signup and view all the answers

What superorder of subclass Neornithes is extinct?

Odontognathae Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Palaeognathae?

Cursorial landbirds, distinct palate morphology, unique reproductive behavior, all flightless except tinamous, 5 orders, 60 species. Signup and view all the answers

Name the two clades under superorder Neognathae.

Galloanseres, Neoaves Signup and view all the answers

Under superorder Palaeognathae, the 5 orders include , , , , and __.

Struthioniformes, Rheiformes, Casuariiformes, Apterygiformes, Tinamiformes Signup and view all the answers

Under Neognathae clade Galloanseres, the 2 orders are and .

Galliformes, Anseriformes Signup and view all the answers

What are the three supra-ordinal clades under clade Neoaves?

Basal unresolved, Aequornithes, Telluraves Signup and view all the answers

What order has only 1 species because they still are not sure where it fits?

Opisthocomiformes: Hoatzin Signup and view all the answers

The two big subgroups in Passeriformes are and .

Suboscines, Oscines Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in the two subgroups in Passeriformes?

Suborder Tyranni has a simple muscle structure, while suborder Passeres has a complex muscle structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which Subfamily of the Suboscines, Suborder Tyranni occurs in North America?

Tyrannidae Signup and view all the answers

What famous fossil was in subclass Archaeornithes?

Archaeopteryx Signup and view all the answers

How many bird families are there?

<blockquote> 250 </blockquote> Signup and view all the answers

How many bird species are there?

10,315-10,725 + 158 Extinct Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of Birds

Kingdom: Animalia, encompassing all animal life.
Phylum: Chordata, indicating animals with a notochord (spinal structure).
Subphylum: Vertebrata, referring to animals with a backbone.
Class: Aves, representing the class of birds.

Subclasses and Superorders

Subclasses of Aves:
- Archaeornithes ("Old Birds"): Extinct group.
- Neornithes ("New Birds"): The surviving lineage of birds.

Superorders of Neornithes

Odontognathae ("Toothed Jaw"): An extinct superorder.
Palaeognathae ("Ancient Jaw"): Characterized by a primitive palate; mostly flightless, with all but tinamous incapable of flight.
Neognathae ("New Jaw"): Comprises modern birds with a flexible palate.

Key Features of Superorders

Palaeognathae:
- Consists of cursorial landbirds.
- Distinctive palate morphology and reproductive behaviors.
- Includes five orders with a total of 60 species.
Neognathae:
- Divided into clades:
  - Galloanseres (Fowl): Comprises Galliformes (pheasants and allies) and Anseriformes (ducks and screamers).
  - Neoaves (New Birds): Contains three supra-ordinal clades.
    - Basal unresolved (9 groups).
    - Aequornithes: Core waterbirds.
    - Telluraves: Core landbirds.

Noteworthy Bird Orders and Families

Palaeognathae includes:
- Struthioniformes (Ostriches)
- Rheiformes (Rheas)
- Casuariiformes (Cassowaries & Emus)
- Apterygiformes (Kiwis)
- Tinamiformes (Tinamous)
Unique Order:
- Opisthocomiformes (Hoatzin): Only one species, currently indeterminate in classification.

Passeriformes Subgroups

Two major subgroups:
- Suboscines (Suborder Tyranni): Simple syrinx structure, less complex song production through external muscles.
- Oscines (Suborder Passeres): Complex syrinx with internal muscle control, includes relatives like crows and thrushes.

Additional Facts

North American Subfamily of Suboscines: Tyrannidae.
Notable Fossil: Archaeopteryx, significant to the study of bird evolution.
Total bird families: Over 250.
Number of bird species: Approximately 10,315 to 10,725, plus 158 extinct species, exceeding a total estimate of 10,000 species.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classification of birds with these flashcards. Learn about the different levels of organization within the animal kingdom, including kingdom, phylum, subphylum, class, and subclasses of Aves. This quiz is perfect for biology students and bird enthusiasts alike.