The study of birds
Ornithology is the study of birds. All birds have feather and bills and most fly. Their closest living relatives are crocodiles and alligators.
This article is a part of the guide:
Browse Full Outline
- 1Basic Concepts
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2Aspects of Zoology
- 2.1Predator-Prey Relationships
- 2.2Sexual Reproduction
- 2.3Asexual Reproduction
- 2.4The Selfish Gene Theory and Altruism
- 2.5Eusociality
- 2.6Animal Intelligence and Learning
- 2.7Unique Animal Skills
- 2.8Migration
- 2.9Camouflage and Mimicry
- 2.10Ecological Specialization
- 2.11Tool Usage
- 2.12Parenting Behavior
- 2.13Defense Mechanisms
- 2.14Unique Environmental Adaptations
- 3The Animals
There are approximately 9000 living species of bird. There are 23 different orders of bird, including the Galliformes (pheasants, guinea fowl, etc), Piciformes (woodpeckers, barbets, etc.), and Falconiformes (raptors).
The largest order is the Passeriformes – the songbirds.
Song
Bird song is one of many species unique characteristics. There are a few species that produce no sound at all such as the storks and pelicans but most birds produce some type of vocal call.
The songbirds (Passeriformes) are notable for their ability to put many notes together to create a song. Sound is created in the syrinx of birds. Songbirds have more muscles controlling the syrinx than other species. Some species are able to mimic the songs of other species.
Calls and song can be used for a variety of purposes including:
- Attracting a mate
- Establishing territory
- Warn off predators
- Co-ordinating flock movements
- Sexual identification
- Species identification
- Offspring identification – some birds use song to specifically identify their own offspring
- Maintain pair bond or stimulate courtship behavior
- Perfection of song – many birds learn song through imitation and practise
Mating Behaviors
Birds have some of the most unusual and beautiful courtship rituals in nature. Many include elaborate dances.
Male birds often have very colorful plumage to help attract females. They display this in a variety of ways including ritualized movements, displays and behaviors.
Some birds species such as the grouse meet only for copulation while others form pair bonds that may last only a few days, throughout the incubation period, or for a lifetime. While some birds provide a lot of parental care others provide very little.
Some species, such as cuckoo birds, will lay their eggs in the nest of other species and let the other mother raise their offspring.
Migration
Many birds live in different environments at different times of the year. They migrate between these locations which may be as far as 4,000-6,000 km in each direction.
The Arctic tern covers 22,000 km round trip each year. Many birds can cover hundred of kilometers in a single flight. Many of them migrate in flocks.
It is believed that there is a genetic component to migration since some species migrate without the benefit of someone who has made the trip before.
Birds use a variety of different methods to find their way including landmarks, solar cues, star position, and geomagnetic cues. They may even use odors and sounds as a part of their guiding system.
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Heather Brennan (Jun 3, 2013). Ornithology. Retrieved Jan 07, 2021 from Explorable.com: https://explorable.com/ornithology
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