Class Aves: Birds GA State Bird – Brown Thrasher GA State Game Bird – Bob White Quail.

Class Aves: BirdsGA State Bird – Brown Thrasher

GA State Game Bird – Bob White Quail

African gray parrot

Great horned owl

Peregrine falcon

Blue heron

Peahen and peacock

Basic Characteristics of Birds

1) What makes birds different from other animals?

2) Describe their skeleton. 3) What characteristics

reveal their close ancestry to reptiles?

4) How are their eggs different from those of fish and reptiles?

5) How are birds classified into orders, families, and genus?

Use the websites below or search through other methods.

Kid Zone

Berkeley

Fernbank

Birdwatching

What is WRONG with this picture?

Facts about Birds1) How many living

species of birds are there?

2) Describe some extreme birds: fastest, largest, etc.

Use the websites below or search through other methods.

PBS

Archaeopteryx

Bird or Reptile?

Archaeopteryx

More Info……Fossil Museum

Bird Feathers

• What are the functions of feathers?

Feathers and Plumages

• What are the primary types of feathers? Include a small sketch of each type. How are each of these types used by the bird?

KidWings

Bird External Anatomy

• Label the diagram of the bird using these termsBelly NapeBill RumpBreast TailCrown TarsusEyebrow Throat Foot WingMantle

• Research pictures to help you

Bird Internal Anatomy

• Digestive System– List, in order, the organs/structures that food

passes trough a bird’s digestive system

Bird Digestion

• Excretory System- What is unusual about birds’ excretion?- What is the name of the excretory product?

Use your book to find the answer quickly

Bird Internal Anatomy

• Respiratory System– Summarize the unique characteristics of bird

respirationBird Respirationor use your book

• Circulatory System- Birds have a ____ chambered heart, just like

____.

Bird Internal Anatomy• Nervous System (Brain and Senses)

– Compare the bird brain and senses to other animals• Your book is the best resource here….you could be

searching forever!

• Reproduction– Birds have very complex reproductive

activities….name them• See text book

– 90% of all birds have only one mate. This is called _____. Click here for answer.

– Describe how birds achieve internal fertilization and describe development of egg/embryo

• See textbook

Bird Beaks

• Look at the different types of beaks and their functions

Bird Beaks

Bird Feet

Bird Orders

• How many orders of birds are there on Earth?– Use your research skills….no Wikipedia!– Maybe….do the next question first

• Pick three orders and describe their members.

Orders of Birds

Pick a Bird

• Choose a bird that you would like to know more about

• Use Cornell's Ornithology Lab to help with your research

• Be sure to include taxonomy, habitat, unusual characteristics, relatives, etc.