Class AvesBy Marlee Shaw

What is a Bird?

endothermic vertebrates

8,600 species

only living organism with feathers

Characteristics preening-cleaning feathers to keep them n good condition for flight

molting- shed old, worn out feathers to make room for new feathers

beaks-modified mouthparts (no teeth)

light weight bones, usually hollow

four chambered heart

internal fertilization

high heart rate in order to supply sufficient oxygen for energy for flight

preening

chickadee’s heart beats 1000 times a minute

Adaptations

Beaks: different birds have different sized/shaped beaks.

Wings: modified appendages, enable flight, escape predators.

Birds are Endothermsmaintain constant body temp that is independant of outside temp

feathers reduce heat loss in cold temp

fluff feathers to trap thin layer of heat to limit heat loss

in high temp, flatten feathers and hold wings away from body

pant to increase respiratory heat loss

advantage-birds can live in all environments

disadvantage-must eat copius amounts of food to keep up with these high energy levels

Habitat

because birds are endotherms, they can be found in all regions of the world

The End.