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Bird anatomy, or the physiological structure of birds' bodies, shows many unique adaptations, mostly aiding flight.Birds have a light skeletal system and light but powerful musculature which, along with circulatory and respiratory systems capable of very high metabolic rates and oxygen supply, permit the bird to fly.
[1] [7] [10] Most major bird bones are extensively pneumatized. They contain many air pockets connected to the pulmonary air sacs of the respiratory system. [13] Their spongy interior makes them strong relative to their mass. [2] [7] The number of pneumatic bones depends on the species; pneumaticity is slight or absent in diving birds. [14]
Location of the alula on a bird's wing. The alula / ˈ æ l j ʊ l ə /, or bastard wing, (plural alulae) is a small projection on the anterior edge of the wing of modern birds and a few non-avian dinosaurs. The word is Latin and means "winglet"; it is the diminutive of ala, meaning "wing".
Hummingbird flight is different from other bird flight in that the wing is extended throughout the whole stroke, which is a symmetrical figure of eight, [17] with the wing producing lift on both the up- and down-stroke. [12] [13] Hummingbirds beat their wings at some 43 times per second, [18] while others may be as high as 80 times per second. [19]
Bird anatomy [ edit ] External anatomy (topography) of a typical bird: 1 Beak, 2 Head, 3 Iris, 4 Pupil, 5 Mantle, 6 Lesser coverts, 7 Scapulars, 8 Coverts, 9 Tertials, 10 Rump , 11 Primaries, 12 Vent, 13 Thigh, 14 Tibio-tarsal articulation, 15 Tarsus, 16 Feet, 17 Tibia, 18 Belly, 19 Flanks, 20 Breast, 21 Throat, 22 Wattle , 23 Eyestripe
The impact of a bird or birds with an airplane in flight. [50] body down The layer of small, fluffy down feathers that lie underneath the outer contour feathers on a bird's body. [51] Compare: natal down and powder down. breast The topographical region of a bird's external anatomy between the throat and the belly. [52] breeding plumage See ...
The number of known living bird species is around 11,000 ... External anatomy of a bird ... Wing shape and size generally determine a bird's flight style and ...
Birds are one of only four taxonomic groups to have evolved powered flight. A number of animals are capable of aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. This trait has appeared by evolution many times, without any single common ancestor. Flight has evolved at least four times in separate animals: insects, pterosaurs, birds, and ...