LIFE SCIENCE 10-6 What are birds?

OBJ: Describe the characteristics of birds.

Classify different kinds of birds.

I. Features of Birds - birds are endotherms

= vertebrate whose body temperature remains about
the same; a warm-blooded animal.
- heat produced by the breakdown of food.
- only animal with feathers.
- have two feet and two wings.
- have lightweight bones.
- have a beak without teeth.
- lay hard-shelled eggs.
- 4 chambered heart.
- two upper chambers are atria
- two lower chambers are ventricles

II. Five Groups - all birds are classified in the class Aves.
- they can be further classified by beaks and feet:
- Birds of Prey
o Sharp curved claws / strong sharp beak
- Perching Birds
o Curved toes / small beaks
- Non-perching Birds
o Long clinging toes
- Swimming Birds
o Webbed feet
- Wading Birds
o Long legs / long sharp beaks

III. Feathers
- Birds have different types of feathers.
- down feathers insulate a bird’s body.
- contour feathers stream-line a bird’s body to help fly.
- contour feathers are made up of a shaft and
many branches called barbs.