Birds Flashcards

Birds can be classified as the only animals with _____

The powerful flight muscles of a bird are attached to the _____

What are the main morphological features of birds?

What are the two types of feather on a bird?

What is the process in which birds lose old feathers and new ones grow in their place?

The organ that stores the food is called the _____

This organ helps a bird supply a large amount of oxygen needed by a flying bird.

What is the oldest known bird fossil?

Like fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, birds are classified in the phylum _____

All birds belong to the class Aves and all belong to the subclass called _____

A bird with a beak for tearing and talons would be classified as a _____

When a bird uses its beak to take the oil from a gland at the base of its tail and apply the oil to its feathers, this is called?

Because birds are uricotelic, _____ is excreted from the body as waste with little water needed.

Why is Benston so stupid?

Bird Anatomy and Physiology

Birds are unique among animals due to the presence of feathers.
The sternum serves as the attachment point for powerful flight muscles.
Key morphological features of birds include beaks, aerodynamic body shapes, feathers, and lightweight bones.
Birds possess two main types of feathers: down feathers for insulation and contour feathers for flight and streamlining.

Life Cycle and Behavior

The process of shedding old feathers and regrowing new ones is known as molting.
Birds store food in an organ called the crop, which allows for temporary food storage.
Air sacs within birds' bodies facilitate the supply of oxygen, essential for energy-intensive flight.

Evolution and Classification

The Archaeopteryx is recognized as the oldest known bird fossil.
Birds are classified under the phylum Chordata, which also includes fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
All birds belong to the class Aves, specifically the subclass Neornithes, which represents the most recent common ancestor of all living birds.

Feeding and Maintenance

Birds of prey have specialized beaks for tearing flesh and talons for hunting.
Preening is the behavior where birds use their beaks to apply oil from a gland at the base of their tail to their feathers for waterproofing and maintenance.

Excretion

Birds excrete uric acid as waste, which is a uricotelic process that requires minimal water, ideal for conserving water in their habitats.

Test your knowledge on the unique characteristics of birds with these flashcards. Learn about their anatomy, features, and classification. Perfect for students of biology or bird enthusiasts!