Class Aves Study Guide

Questions and Answers

What is Class Aves known as?

Largest group of terrestrial vertebrates (correct)

Largest group of reptiles

Smallest group of vertebrates

Smallest group of mammals

What are the forelimbs of birds modified into?

A pair of wings

2 functions of feathers are ______ and insulation.

flight

Why do birds preen?

To care for the feathers Signup and view all the answers

What protein comprises feathers?

Keratin Signup and view all the answers

2 groups of flying vertebrates are ______ and bats.

birds Signup and view all the answers

2 distinctive adaptations of birds are ______ and beak.

flight Signup and view all the answers

What similarity do birds show to reptiles?

Have scales and they are dinosaurs Signup and view all the answers

How do fused bones help birds?

Can resist the forces produced by strong flight muscles Signup and view all the answers

What supplies the energy needed for flight?

Metabolism Signup and view all the answers

The average temperature of birds is ______ degrees Celsius.

40-41 Signup and view all the answers

7 characteristics all birds share are ______.

feathers, wings, skeleton, endothermic metabolism, unique respiratory system, beak, oviparity Signup and view all the answers

How do birds replace feathers?

Birds living in temperate climates usually replace feathers during late summer Signup and view all the answers

Describe in detail the eggs of all birds.

Amniotic, encased in a hard, calcium-containing shell Signup and view all the answers

What is the taxonomy of birds from domain to class?

Chordata, Aves, Animalia, Eukarya Signup and view all the answers

Where is the oxygen-rich blood of birds stored?

Lungs Signup and view all the answers

What arrangement ensures that O2-rich air is always moving to the lungs?

Lungs are contracted to several air sacs Signup and view all the answers

Define inhalation.

Air sacs fill Signup and view all the answers

What penetrates some of the bones in order to make the birds more dense?

Air sacs from the respiratory system Signup and view all the answers

Describe a bird's brain relative to its size.

Relative to body size Signup and view all the answers

Are all birds well adapted for flight? Explain.

No because of their bodies Signup and view all the answers

What structures occupy a large part of a bird's chest and abdominal cavity?

Air sacs extend from lungs Signup and view all the answers

What plays a huge part in the structure of a bird's beak?

Diet Signup and view all the answers

Identify 5 examples of morphological evidence.

Beaks, fray, plumage, bone structure, musculature Signup and view all the answers

How many species and orders of birds are there?

10,000 species divided into 23 orders Signup and view all the answers

What evidence (not morphological) is used to classify birds?

Blood proteins, chromosomes and DNA Signup and view all the answers

Define exhalation.

Air sacs empty, lungs fill Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a bird exhales?

Oxygen-poor air from its lungs is forced into anterior air sacs and the oxygen-rich air in the posterior air sacs is forced into lungs Signup and view all the answers

1 emu egg equals ______ large chicken eggs.

10 Signup and view all the answers

Define clutch.

Group of eggs Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Anseriformes?

Webbed feet & flattened bill Signup and view all the answers

Which order contains the world's largest birds?

Struthioniformes Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Strigiformes?

Nocturnal, large eyes, keen hearing Signup and view all the answers

Which order contains more than half of the total number of all bird species?

Passeriformes Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Columbiformes?

Usually plump breasted, with small head; both sexes produce crop milk Signup and view all the answers

What are Passeriformes often referred to as?

Perching birds or songbirds Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Psittaciformes?

Most live in tropics; strong hooked beak; vocal birds Signup and view all the answers

2 reasons males produce songs are ______ and attract females.

To warn away other males Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Piciformes?

Diverse tree dwellers; nest in tree cavities Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of Ciconiiformes?

Highly diverse & found worldwide; long, flexible neck & long legs & bill Signup and view all the answers

Crows are the largest of what order?

Passeriformes Signup and view all the answers

Trace the flow of air through a bird's respiratory system.

Oxygen rich air: nostril at the base of beak: trachea: 2 primary bronchi: lungs: posterior air sacs Signup and view all the answers

What is the order that comprises 290 species of diurnal birds of prey?

Falconiformes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Class Aves

Class Aves is the largest group of terrestrial vertebrates.
Wings are modified forelimbs enabling flight.

Feathers and Their Functions

Feathers serve the dual purpose of aiding flight and insulating against heat loss.
Birds preen their feathers for maintenance and care.
Composed of keratin, which provides structural integrity.

Adaptations and Physiology

Distinctive adaptations include the ability to fly and various beak shapes adapted to diet.
Birds share similarities with reptiles, having scales and being classified as modern dinosaurs.
Fused bones provide strength to withstand forces from flight muscles.

Energy and Metabolic Processes

Energy required for flight is drawn from metabolism.
Birds maintain an average body temperature of 40-41 degrees Celsius (104-106 degrees Fahrenheit).

Shared Characteristics of Birds

Characteristics include feathers, wings, a lightweight skeleton, endothermic metabolism, a unique respiratory system, beaks, and oviparity (egg-laying).

Reproduction and Egg Structure

Birds typically replace feathers during late summer in temperate climates.
Eggs are amniotic, encased in a hard, calcium-containing shell.

Taxonomy of Birds

Taxonomic classification from broad to specific includes: domain Eukarya, kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and class Aves.

Respiratory System

Oxygen-rich blood is stored in the lungs, with a unique arrangement of air sacs ensuring continuous airflow.
Inhalation fills air sacs, while exhalation empties them, allowing for efficient gas exchange.

Morphological Evidence and Diversity

Birds exhibit morphological diversity that can include variations in beaks, plumage, bone structure, and musculature.
Approximately 10,000 bird species are classified into 23 orders.

Additional Classification Factors

Classification of birds extends beyond morphology to include molecular evidence such as blood proteins, chromosomes, and DNA analysis.

Clutch and Egg Information

A clutch refers to a group of eggs laid together.
One emu egg is approximately equivalent to ten large chicken eggs.

Notable Orders and Their Characteristics

Anseriformes includes waterfowl like swans, geese, and ducks, characterized by webbed feet and flattened bills.
Struthioniformes features the world’s largest birds, like ostriches and emus.
Strigiformes indicates owls, which are nocturnal with large eyes and acute hearing.
Passeriformes, or perching birds, includes over half of all bird species, known for their claws and diverse song capabilities.
Columbiformes features pigeons and doves, where both sexes can produce crop milk.
Psittaciformes includes parrots and related species, recognized for strong hooked beaks and vocal adaptability.
Piciformes, the woodpecker group, includes birds that nest in tree cavities.
Ciconiiformes has diverse, long-legged birds such as herons and egrets.

Airflow in the Respiratory System

Air flows into the respiratory system from the nostrils, through the trachea, into primary bronchi, and reaches the lungs and posterior air sacs for gas exchange.

Falconiformes

Falconiformes encompasses diurnal birds of prey like falcons and hawks, totaling around 290 species.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Class Aves with this study guide. Explore key concepts such as the adaptations of birds, the function of feathers, and the significance of their forelimbs. Perfect for students seeking a deeper understanding of avian biology.