Bird

The introduction of birds says that they are an organization of Aves-class warm-blooded vertebrates characterized by wings, hard-shelled egg-laying, toothless beaked jaws, an increased metabolic rate, a heart with four chambers, and a powerful yet light skeleton. The bird's scientific name is Aves. Birds are found worldwide and vary in measurements from the bee hummingbird 5.5 cm (2.2 in) to the ostrich 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in).

In the bird background, there are approximately ten thousand life forms, of which more than half are passerine or perching birds. Birds possess feathers whose development varies by species; the extinct moa and elephant birds are the only known groups with no wings.

Also, birds' digestive and respiratory systems are emerging for flight. Some aquatic bird species, especially seabirds and some waterbirds, have adapted further for swimming purposes.

According to the gathered birds information, birds are a community of dinosaurs with feathered theropods and are the only existing dinosaurs. Birds are ancestors of the prehistoric avialans (including Archaeopteryx members) that first happened in China approximately 160 million years ago. Modern birds (Neornithes) developed in the Middle to Late Cretaceous according to DNA evidence and significantly differentiated from around the time of the 66 mya extinction event of the Cretaceous-Paleogene, that also attacked the pterosaurs and all non-avian dinosaurs.

Bird Classification

In the 1676 volume Ornithologiae, the very first Bird classification was created by Francis Willughby and John Ray. To devise the taxonomic bird classification scheme currently in use, Carl Linnaeus updated the work in 1758. Bird species are classified in Linnaean taxonomy as the biological class Aves. Aves is classified or bird classification in the dinosaur clade Theropoda is done by phylogenetic taxonomy.

Aves and another sister group named the order Crocodilia carries the living animals from the reptile clade Archosauria. Mostly during the late 1990s, including all ancestors among the most likely origins of modern birds and Archaeopteryx lithographica, Aves was most widely identified phylogenetically. However, in the 21st century, an earlier concept proposed by Jacques Gauthier gained broad currency and is used by many scientists, including PhyloCode system adherents. Aves was described by Gauthier to include only the crown category of the modern bird collection.

This was achieved by removing the majority of groups known only from fossils and, instead, assigning them to the larger Avialae group, in part to prevent uncertainties about the placement of Archaeopteryx in relation to species historically regarded as dinosaur theropods.

Four separate meanings for the same biological name "Aves" were defined by Gauthier and de Queiroz, which is an issue. The authors suggested that the term Aves should only be reserved for the category of crowns consisting of the last common ancestor of all living bird species and all their descendants, referring to the number 4 below. He gave different names to the remaining groups.

• Aves could mean that all archosaurs are similar to birds than crocodiles (alternately Avemetatarsalia).

• Aves may mean certain developed feathered archosaurs (alternately Avifile Pluma).

• Aves can mean certain flying feathered dinosaurs (alternately Avialae).

• The last shared ancestor of all the birds currently living and all their descendants can be called Aves (a "crown group", and can be equivalent to Neornithes).

Parts of a Bird

Knowing about birds and the basic parts of a bird is the very first move toward effective bird identification. Thrushes have the most typical "shape" of classic birds, which is easily split into all the main components, each of which can be carefully studied to help identify birds.

• Head

The head is one of the bird’s body parts and is one of the best places to look for field marks such as eye lines, eye color, eye rings, eyebrows, and auricular patches. Key parts of the head are also the crown (top) and nape (back) that can help identify a bird.

• Bill

For identification, the size, shape, and color of a bird's bill are critical. Check for any curvature in the bill or special markings as well including distinctly colored tips or bands.

• Throat 

The throat of a bird may be distinctly colored from its surrounding plumage, or spots, streaks, or lines may be marked. Malar stripes may also frame the throat to help set it off from the rest of the body of a bird. As observed in many birds, the throat and chin carry common colors and markings.

• Chin

The chin, immediately below the bill, is sometimes difficult to see on almost all birds, but it can be an outstanding body part to check for identification when it is a different color.

• Neck 

For several birds, the neck of a bird is hard to see, since it may be extremely small and insignificant. However, the neck is much more common in wading birds and will be a useful resource for field marks. The size of the neck can help to differentiate various species of birds as well.

• Chest (also known as Breast) 

Between the throat and the belly, the chest is the upright portion of the bird's body. The chest of a bird may be coloured differently or marked with lines, streaks or spots that may assist with identification.

• Back 

In the correct pose, a bird's back is always wide and easy to see. Look for various colors and markings that separate it from the collar, rump and wings along the back.

• Abdomen 

A bird's abdomen or belly stretches from the bottom of the chest to the undertail shrouds. On the abdomen, the colors and markings can differ from the chest and flanks, making it a good feature to check for identification.

• Bird wings 

Their upper limbs used for flight are the wings of birds. Useful field markings are wing bars or bands, and so are the lengths of the bird wings relative to the length of the tail while the bird is perched. In-flight, another great field mark can be the shape of the wing.

• Tail 

A bird's tail's length, shape and colors are essential for birds body parts and optimal identification. However, when the bird is perched or flying, the tail can be kept in various ways, and looking for different markings can help identify different birds.

• Rump 

The patch above the tail and low on the back is a bird's rump. The rump does not stick out for many birds, however, some species exhibit distinctive patches of rump color that are important for the assessment.

• Legs

In length and color, the legs of birds differ, which also can be valuable field markings for proper identification. As with any feathering, the thickness of the leg, although difficult to see in many animals, may also be a hint. For example, some raptors have extensively feathered legs that could be used to recognize birds.

• Feet

The feet of many birds seem to be the same color as their wings, though not always. Useful distinguishing features are also the orientation of the toes, the size of the talons and how a bird manages its feet.

• Undertail Coverts

The undertail coverts are the simple, small feathers under the tail, and these feathers often display unique and different colors or markings that can differentiate bird species.

Types of Birds

The classification of birds and connections between orders and families is constantly changing due to the constant flow of new data obtained due to the advancement of DNA sequencing. The new classification includes 40 bird orders instead of the previous one containing 23 bird orders.

Here is the list of some types of birds or variety of birds:

• Diurnal Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes)

• Hummingbirds and Swifts (Apodiformes)

• Waterfowl Birds (Anseriformes)

• Kiwis & Extinct Birds (Apterygiformes)

• Frogmouths, Nightjars, and Oilbirds (Caprimulgiformes)

• Hornbills and Hoopoes (Coraciiformes)

• Seriemas (Cariamiformes)

• Emus and Cassowaries (Casuariiformes)

• Herons, Storks, and Vultures (Ciconiiformes)

• Shorebirds (Charadriiformes)

• Mousebirds (Coliiformes)

• Rollers, Kingfishers, and Bee-eaters (Coraciiformes)

• Pigeons and Dodos (Columbiformes)

• Kagus and Sunbitterns (Eurypygiformes)

• Roadrunners, Cuckoos, and Koels (Cuculiformes)

• Falcons (Falconiformes)

• Loons (Gaviiformes)

• Chickens and Turkeys (Galliformes)

• Cranes and Rails (Gruiformes)

• Mesites (Mesitornithiformes)

• Cuckoo Rollers (Leptosomiformes)

• Turacos and Plantain Eaters (Musophagiformes)

• Bustards (Otidiformes)

• Hoatzins (Opisthocomiformes)

• Perching Birds (Passeriformes)

• Tropicbirds (Phaethontiformes)

• Pelicans and Frigate Birds (Pelecaniformes)

• Flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes)

• Grebes (Podicipediformes)

• Woodpeckers (Piciformes)

Features of Birds

Below-mentioned are some of the features of birds-

• Feathers 

Feathers noticed on every living species of bird but no other class of animal, are the distinguishing quality of Aves. Feathers are created of keratin, the very same compound that in other animals shapes hair and nails and are heavily modified scales. Feathers are crucial not only for flight, as well as for warmth and weather protection and for attracting males to mate.

• Beak 

The beaks, or bills, of all birds, are made of a bony core consisting of a thin layer of keratin. Birds also don't have true teeth, but there are many species of tomia—sharp ridges across their beaks' edges. Birds may not chew but crush or tear food into chunks that are small enough even to swallow.

• Wings 

There are wings for all birds, but not all birds fly. Wings are also not limited to Aves; bats are mammals that fly and yet most insects carry wings. The bodies of birds are ideally built for flight, with powerful chest muscles and just enough curve to provide a lift to their wings.

• Skeleton 

Many birds have hollow bones and lightweight skeletons. This keeps them sufficiently light for flight. In contrast to mammals', many fused bones, like the collarbones or wishbones, make birds' skeletons rigid. During the flight, this helps brace the wings of the birds. Their breastbones, also called sternums, are wide, providing powerful wing muscles with strong attachment points.

• Eggs 

Eggs are laid by all birds, some very colorful or decorated with spots. Of course, eggs are not exclusive to birds, as fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects lay eggs as well. The hard shell of a bird egg is made mainly of calcium and has a layer of hardened mucus. The developing embryo derives nutrients from the yolk inside the egg and the albumin, the white of the egg.

Facts about Birds

Some interesting facts about birds:

• Ravens can greatly mimic human speech and sound.

• Ostriches tend to carry the largest eyes as of any land animal.

• Cardinals seem to cover themselves within the ants.

• Some ducks are found to sleep with an open eye.

More about Birds

Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates who belong to the class of Aves. They have wings and lay hard-shelled eggs i.e. they are oviparous. They have toothless beaked jaws and a high rate of metabolism. Birds have a heart that is 4-chambered and a light skeleton. There are varieties of birds that are found around the world. They measure from about 5.5 cm (bee hummingbird) to about 2.8 meters like an ostrich. There are many forms of birds and they are either perching or passerine types of birds mostly. Birds have feathers that vary according to the species. Elephant birds and moa birds which are now extinct were the birds that had no wings. Many birds have adapted themselves for swimming like those of water and seabirds. Birds have a common feature that resembles the dinosaurs with wings or theropods. They show resemblance to the ancient avialans like the archaeopteryx which were found around 160 million years ago.  The modern birds developed in the middle to late Cretaceous period according to scientific evidence.