A Beka Grade 7 Science 7.4 Bird Features

How does the design of the perching feet provide safety to a perching bird?

Because the toes automatically close to grasp an object when the leg is bent, the foot will not release its grip while the bird is resting or sleeping.

climbing feet

Two toes in front and two in the back. Woodpeckers have these type of feet

gaping bill

Whippoorwills, which catch insects in flight, have this type of bill

List some ways a bird's tail may be used.

control of direction and altitude, a "brake" during landing, a balance while perching

tail shape

determined by the type of flight and habitat conditions

scratching feet

feet with long, straight toes; chickens, pheasants

What are various colors, pattens, and marks characteristic of a particular species?

field marks

seed eating bill

for cracking hard seeds; seed-eating songbirds, like finches and cardinals

tapered wings

for fast, agile, slapping flight (swift)

long narrow wings

for gliding (albatross)

narrow wings

for high-speed diving (falcon)

short, tapered wings

for hovering (hummingbird)

short, broad wings

for maneuvering in close quarters (wren)

large, broad wings

for soaring (hawk)

piercing bill

for spearing prey; ex: herons

grebes

have lobes of skin on each forward toe instead of webbed feet

fruit-slicing bill

large and colorful with serrated edges for slicing fruit; example: toucans and other tropical birds

straining bill

large, spatula shape bill for scooping small aquatic animals from the water; ex: flamingos, spoonbills

sucking bill

long and delicate for extracting nectar from deep within flowers; example: humming bird

probing bills

long and slender for retrieving burrowing crustaceans; snappers and whimbrels

What type of wings do most land-soaring birds have?

long, broad wings with primary flight feathers spread far apart

bills

made of keratin, designed for the kind of diet a bird requires or enjoys

What is the fastest-running flying bird?

roadrunner

grasping feet

similar to perching feet but have sharp talons; used for grasping prey from flight

wading feet

similar to swimming feet, but has long stilt-like legs that keeps the body out of water while the bird wades (flamingo)

all-purpose bill

straight, strong, pointed bill; what omnivores have for a diverse diet

What two types of bird feet are designed for life in water?

swimming feet, wading feet

Name the sharp claws on a grasping foot.

talons

wings

the shape of a bird's wing depends on how and where it is designed to fly

tearing bill

the upper mandible extends beyond the lower mandible and hooks downward; hunting birds

perching feet

three forward toes and one hind toe; for perching on branches; song birds have these

field marks

various colors, patterns, and markings characteristic of a particular bird species

swimming feet

webbed feet that paddle (duck)