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Avian diversity - Coggle Diagram
Avian diversity
Avian characteristics: 1. amniote 2. diapsid 3. endotherms
- covered in feathers
- forelimbs modified to form wings
- keratinised beak
- large eyes
- elongate S-shaped neck
- leg scales
Ancient vs new jaw:
- Paleognathae (ancient jaw)
- Neognathae (new jaw)
- flightless in both groups
Ratites:
- generally large
- long legs & fast runners - 2 species in australia (emu and cassowary)
- 2 extinct species of emu
Tinamous:
- 47 species
- central and south america
- ground dwelling
- nest on ground
- grassland
-diet: plants, fruits, worms and insects
Anseriformes (swans, geese, ducks):
- ~162 species
- adapted for an aquatic existence
- webbed feet
- broad beak with filtering ridges
- herbivores
- monogamous breeders
Galliformes (chickens, turkeys):
- ~ 300 species
- adapted ground feeding
- short wings
- prolific breeders
Procellariformes:
-albatrosses, petrels, fulmars, shearwaters
- pelagic
- migrations
- hooked beaks and tubular nostrils
- drink seawater & feed on fish/squid/krill
- nest on remote islands
- slow breeders
Sphenisciformes: - penguins - aquatic & flightless - southern hemisphere
- counter shaded plumage
- wings modified for swimming
- diet: fish/squid/krill
Pelecaniformes:
- pelicans, ibises, herons & storks
- coasts, lakes, wetlands, rivers
- most long-legged waders
- colonial
- fish eaters
Passeriformes: - unique toe arrangment (3 vs 1)
- most have highly developed syrinx
-often have bright plumage
- thrushers, warblers, finches, mockingbirds
- swallows, starlings and crows do not
Psittaciformes (parrots): - pantropical distribution - strong curved bill
- colourful
- zygodactyl feet (2 vs 2)
- colourful
diet: seeds, nuts, fruit & plant
Columbiformes (pigeons and doves): stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with fleshy ceres
- diet: seeds, nuts and fruits
- adapted to urban environments
Falconiformes (falcons): - diurnal bird of prey - kill with their beaks
- stronly hooked bills, sharply curved talons and excellent eyesight
- carnivores: birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects
Coraciiformes (kingfisher and bee-eater): - all have large heads, long, shapr pointed bills, sjort legs and stubby tails
- bright plumage with little differences between the sexes
diet: wide diet but carnivores
Piciformes (woodpeckers, toucan and puffbirds):
- highly modified beak
- zygodactyl feet (2 vs 2)
- woodpecker: strong bills for drilling on trees and long sticky tongues for extracting food
- adaptations to protect bran and eyes from drilling
Accipitriformes (hawks, eagles, vultures & condors): - sharply hooked beak - long broad wings for soaring flight - string legs and feet with raptorial claws and an opposable hind claw - carnivorous - low reproductive rates
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Strigiformes:
- solitary and nocturnal birds of prey
- upright stance, a large broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons and feathers adapted for silent flight
- eyes stationary
- head 270 degrees turn
Apodiformes (hummingbirds, swifts): - small birds, short legs & rapid wings
- fastest metabolism
hibernate when food is scarce
Cuculiformes (cuckoo and roadrunners): - solitary birds
Characdriiformes (waders, shorebirds): -most invertebrate feeders
Gruiformes (cran and rails): - live in wetland, feed on rodents, fish , amphibians, insects and plants
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