Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Birds
To identify an animal as a bird, it should have these characteristics:
- Feathers! All birds have feathers.
- Birds have a backbone. They are vertebrates.
- All birds are endothermic. They can regulate their body temperature.
- Female birds lay eggs. Their young develop inside of the egg.
- Birds have wings, but not all birds use them to fly. Penguins and ostriches are examples of birds that do not fly.
- Claws and beaks made of keratin
- Scales on their legs made of keratin
- Feathers are modified scales (made of keratin)
- Amniotic eggs; calcified shells that are hard
- Variety of diets and lifestyles
Some common birds are blue jays, pigeons, eagles, vultures, mallards and hummingbirds.
Visit this page to see some examples of birds! http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Birds.aspx
- Most fly- there are many modifications to the bird body plan to help with flight
- Hollow bones
- No teeth
- Reduced number of bones
- Modified digestive tract
- special bones for anchoring flight muscles
- feathers that can create lift and drag
Bird Eggs
•Have a shell that is hard
–Calcified
•Amniotic and have a yolk
biodiversitybasics 