Bird AdaptationsBird Adaptations

ZoologyZoology

Bird AdaptationsBird Adaptations

1. Types of feathers1. Types of feathers

2. Forelimb Modified into Wing2. Forelimb Modified into Wing

3. Modifications for Flight3. Modifications for Flight

4. Specialized Feet4. Specialized Feet

5. Specialized Bills5. Specialized Bills

ReviewReview What is one thing birds have that no What is one thing birds have that no

other animal has?other animal has? Feathers!Feathers!

What are modified bird forelimbs What are modified bird forelimbs called?called? Wings!Wings!

Name 3 uses for bird hindlimbs.Name 3 uses for bird hindlimbs. Walking, swimming or perchingWalking, swimming or perching

What do birds have in place of jaws What do birds have in place of jaws and teeth and why?and teeth and why? Beaks (or bills), weight reductionBeaks (or bills), weight reduction

What fossil was the link What fossil was the link between reptiles and birds?between reptiles and birds?

Archaeopterix lithographica

FeathersFeathers Modified scalesModified scales Used for insulation, Used for insulation,

breeding display & breeding display & camouflagecamouflage

3 main types:3 main types: ContourContour feathers feathers DownDown feathers feathers FiloplumesFiloplumes

Contour FeathersContour Feathers

Cover body, wings and tailCover body, wings and tail 2 main types2 main types

General body feathersGeneral body feathers Overall body coveringOverall body covering Color for camouflage or breeding Color for camouflage or breeding

displaysdisplays Flight feathersFlight feathers

Wings and Tail - long & strong feathersWings and Tail - long & strong feathers Needed to produce lift and for steering Needed to produce lift and for steering

& balance& balance

Flight FeathersFlight Feathers

Wing feathersWing feathers or or RectricesRectrices PrimariesPrimaries SecondariesSecondaries TertiariesTertiaries

Tail feathersTail feathers

or or RemigesRemiges

RetricesRetrices (plural)(plural) Retrix Retrix (singular)(singular)

Remiges Remiges (plural)(plural)

Contour Feather PartsContour Feather Parts

Calamus or quillCalamus or quill RachisRachis Vane or bladeVane or blade

Contour Feather Contour Feather StructureStructure

Vanes made up of interlocking parts – Vanes made up of interlocking parts – why is this needed?why is this needed? BarbsBarbs BarbulesBarbules BarbicelsBarbicels

Barbicels are hooks that Barbicels are hooks that hold the barbs togetherhold the barbs together

Must be preened to Must be preened to maintain structuremaintain structure Uropygial or preen or oil glandUropygial or preen or oil gland

Down FeathersDown Feathers Lack stiff barbules andLack stiff barbules and

barbicelsbarbicels Short, fluffy and soft barbsShort, fluffy and soft barbs

Found underneath and betweFound underneath and between en contourcontour feathers and on juvenile feathers and on juvenile birdsbirds

Function in insulation by trapping airFunction in insulation by trapping air Birds like ducks and geese tend to have Birds like ducks and geese tend to have

more down – Why?more down – Why? Powder DownPowder Down

Special type of down on aquatic birds - Special type of down on aquatic birds - waterproofwaterproof

FiloplumesFiloplumes

Probably Sensory Probably Sensory feathers – still debatedfeathers – still debated

Other typesOther types SemiplumesSemiplumes BristlesBristles

Feather ColorationFeather Coloration

Why are females usually not as bright as Why are females usually not as bright as males?males?

Why do some birds have Why do some birds have similarly plumaged similarly plumaged sexes?sexes?

Why would some birds Why would some birds change color in the change color in the winter?winter?

How do they change?

MoltingMolting Birds shed feathers and grow new Birds shed feathers and grow new

onesones Most do it graduallyMost do it gradually Some do it all at onceSome do it all at once

Alternate or Breeding PlumageAlternate or Breeding Plumage Brightest colors, usually in springBrightest colors, usually in spring

Basic or Winter PlumageBasic or Winter Plumage Usually fairly drabUsually fairly drab

Most birds molt twice a yearMost birds molt twice a year

4 Ways Birds are Adapted 4 Ways Birds are Adapted for Flightfor Flight

1.1. Bones of a bird’s Bones of a bird’s forelimbs form forelimbs form wingswings

2.2. Weight reductionWeight reduction Bones are nearly Bones are nearly

hollow (pneumatic)hollow (pneumatic) Air sacs, no bladder Air sacs, no bladder

etc.etc.

3.3. Large chest Large chest muscles that move muscles that move the wingsthe wings

4.4. FeathersFeathers

Airfoil in Airfoil in a Bird’s a Bird’s WingWing

Leading edge

Trailing edge

Top

Birds vs. Birds vs. AirplanesAirplanes

If a bird is just gliding (or "soaring"), that is, not flapping its wings, it flies in pretty much the same way that an airplane flies. The wings push air down, so by Newton's third law the air must push them up. The pushcomes partly from the angle of the wings and partly from the curvatureof the wings. Swainson’s Hawk

Flapping Flapping FlightFlightThe bird uses its strong muscles to push its wings downwards, pushing air downwards, generating lift, and, if the wings are angled properly, also thrust. The big problem then becomes not pushing air back upwards when the bird moves its wings up for the return stroke.

Fixed vs. Flexible Fixed vs. Flexible WingsWings

Birds have hinged wings. On the downstroke, the wing is fully extended, offering its full surface area for pushing air downwards. On the upstroke, the wing folds up, presenting less area.

Osprey ?

Bird Wings Can Move in Many Bird Wings Can Move in Many WaysWays

Many can use their tails like a rudder for steering

Motionless FlightMotionless Flight

Hummingbirds' wings Hummingbirds' wings are pointed and swept are pointed and swept back, and they rotate back, and they rotate at the shoulder, not at at the shoulder, not at the wrist, allowing the wrist, allowing the wing to be turned the wing to be turned over in midstroke, so over in midstroke, so that backward motion that backward motion cancels forward cancels forward motion and the bird motion and the bird remains motionlessly remains motionlessly poised in the air to sip poised in the air to sip the nectar of flowers.the nectar of flowers.

Hummingbird flightHummingbird flight

Black-chinned hummingbird

Hummingbird FactsHummingbird Facts

How many times does a How many times does a

hummingbird's wings beat per hummingbird's wings beat per SECOND?SECOND?

80 times per second!80 times per second!

How many heartbeats per minute?How many heartbeats per minute? Their hearts beat at over Their hearts beat at over 1,263 beats 1,263 beats

PER MINUTE. PER MINUTE.

♂ broad-tailed

Wing Shape Can Help to Determine What Type of Bird You are Seeing

And what their job or niche is…

Wing Wing ShapesShapes

What does raptor mean?What does raptor mean?Any species (dinosaur, bird etc.) Any species (dinosaur, bird etc.)

that catches and kills its prey that catches and kills its prey with its with its feetfeet

Raptor Raptor SilhouettesSilhouettes

Raptor Raptor WingsWings ButeosButeos – soaring wings – soaring wings

Found in open countryFound in open country AccipitersAccipiters – maneuverable – maneuverable

wings and long tailwings and long tail Found in forestsFound in forests

FalconsFalcons – built for speed – built for speed Found in the open or above Found in the open or above

the forestthe forest VulturesVultures – soaring wings – soaring wings

Feet – Another Feet – Another AdaptationAdaptation

Bird FeetBird Feet

SHAPE TYPE ADAPTATION

GraspingRaptors like Osprey use their large curved claws to snatch fish from the water.

ScratchingPheasants and other birds that scratch the soil for food have nail-like toes.

SwimmingDucks and other webbed lined swimming birds use their feet like paddles.

PerchingRobins have a long back toe, which lets them grab a perch tightly.

RunningMany fast-running birds have three toes rather than four.

ClimbingA woodpecker's hind toes enable it to climb without falling backward.

Bird Beaks – Another Bird Beaks – Another AdaptationAdaptation

You Can Tell a Lot About You Can Tell a Lot About a Bird’s Niche by the a Bird’s Niche by the

Shape of the BillShape of the Bill

Bird BillsBird BillsSHAPESHAPE TYPETYPE ADAPTATIONADAPTATION

CrackerCracker Seed eaters like sparrows and cardinals have short, Seed eaters like sparrows and cardinals have short, thick conical bills for cracking seed.thick conical bills for cracking seed.

ShredderShredder Birds of prey like hawks and owls have sharp, curved Birds of prey like hawks and owls have sharp, curved bills for tearing meat.bills for tearing meat.

ChiselChisel Woodpeckers have bills that are long and chisel-like for Woodpeckers have bills that are long and chisel-like for boring into wood to eat insects.boring into wood to eat insects.

ProbeProbe Hummingbird bills are long and slender for probing Hummingbird bills are long and slender for probing flowers for nectar.flowers for nectar.

StrainerStrainer Some ducks have long, flat bills that strain small plants Some ducks have long, flat bills that strain small plants and animals from the water.and animals from the water.

SpearSpear Birds like herons and kingfishers have spear-like bills Birds like herons and kingfishers have spear-like bills adapted for fishing. adapted for fishing.

TweezerTweezerInsect eaters like warblers have thin, pointed bills.Insect eaters like warblers have thin, pointed bills.

Swiss Army Swiss Army KnifeKnife

Crows have a multi-purpose bill that allows them to eat Crows have a multi-purpose bill that allows them to eat fruit, seeds, insects, fish, and other animals. fruit, seeds, insects, fish, and other animals.

Bird AdaptationsBird Adaptations Types of feathersTypes of feathers Forelimb Modified into WingForelimb Modified into Wing Modifications for FlightModifications for Flight Specialized FeetSpecialized Feet Specialized BillsSpecialized Bills