The order of birds is considered one of the most ancient. Its appearance is attributed to the beginning of the Jurassic period. There are opinions that the ancestors of birds were mammals, the structure of which changed with the course of evolution.
Bird body temperature
Representatives of this class have a constant and very high body temperature, it is not affected by changes in weather conditions. Animals with this phenomenon are called homoiothermic. In mammals, it is much lower. The average temperature for a variety of birds is 42 °C. Representatives of the passerine order have the highest body temperature - 45.5 ° C. Such serious indicators play an important role in the course of various processes and metabolism in the body of a bird.
One of the most important factors is the constancy of body temperature, it is of great importance for brain function in the cold season. Despite the low temperature, for example, in winter, thanks to this phenomenon, all birds lead an active lifestyle.
Similarities and differences with mammals
There are several features that make birds look like mammals:
- thin skin and few glands inher;
- horny formations on the body are well developed;
- there is a sewer, etc.
However, individual qualities significantly distinguish them:
- constant temperature of 40-42°C does not decrease due to certain processes;
- breeding method, namely building a nest, incubating eggs and feeding offspring;
- the central nervous system is more developed, this explains the adaptive existence.
Characteristic of the species. Feathers
A detachment of birds are vertebrate animals, their body is usually covered with feathers, and wings are forelimbs. The legs are well developed, the body has a streamlined shape. Thin skin allows the feathers to be mobile. There are two types of them - down and contour.
The contour pen has a strong stem, from which the plates come out, they are covered with short beards fastened together with hooks. Not the entire surface of the skin is covered with similar feathers. Where they are not present, down and down feathers are usually observed, they have a softer structure, and they lack a trunk. The contour feathers are so named because of their location, as they are mainly found along the contour of the entire body of the bird, on the wings and on the back. They play the main role in flight. Another important function of the feather cover is to protect the body from damage and heat loss.
A group of birds is also subject to molting, as feathers tend to wear out. There are species in which the entire cover changes at the same time. For this period of time they are deprived of the opportunityfly and find places inaccessible to predators. This type of molting is observed mainly in those birds that are able to provide themselves with food without taking off into the sky. In other individuals, this process proceeds gradually. Also, molting may begin due to the change of seasons.
The color of the feather cover is also varied. It depends on the habitat of the birds, season, gender and climatic conditions.
Reproduction process
A detachment of birds refers to dioecious animals. Usually, breeding begins after the return of birds from wintering and the onset of favorable weather conditions. Naturally, for its full course, individuals of different sexes are needed. In many species of birds, everything begins with the mating dance of the male, with which he tries to attract the attention of the female. Very often this is accompanied by unusual behavior and interesting sounds. After the lady accepts courtship, a couple is formed. Many birds are already looking for a new partner for the next season, but some enter into an alliance for life.
It should be noted that there are species of birds in which the couple is engaged in building a nest and feeding the chicks together. And there are males who only fertilize the female, and all worries pass without their participation.
After the formation of a pair, the construction of the nest begins. Next, the eggs are laid, they are usually incubated by females, temporarily replaced by a male. The upbringing and feeding of offspring is also done jointly. This lasts until the chicks become able to independently findfood.
Species or orders of birds
There is an opinion that the first stage of separation, or superorder, are penguins and all birds known to science (new-palatine). The reason that the penguins were assigned to a separate group is the significant differences in structure and origin from all other birds. Among scientists, there is a lot of controversy on the topic of which order or class to include some birds, or whether to create a separate family for them.
All orders of birds can still be divided into domestic and wild, migratory and non-migratory, waterfowl, predatory, forest, living in open spaces and cultural landscapes.
Chicken Squad
Bird of the chicken order can live in the forest, fields and are kept in backyards. These include chickens, hazel grouse, capercaillie, black grouse, white and gray partridge, etc. All
representatives of this detachment remain to winter in their usual places, with the exception of quails. In birds of this species, only the female takes care of the offspring. A significant proportion of galliformes are pets.
Owl Squad
The bird of the owl squad is predatory. Most of them are nocturnal. This species includes barn owl, snowy owl, eagle owl, gray owl, swamp owl, etc. Their biggest advantage is their excellent hearing. It is he who helps to catch animals in the dark. For breeding, owls create a permanent pair. The eggs are incubated by the female, but feeding the offspring is already the concern of both parents. Among daytime hunters, it is worth noting the pygmy owl, white andhawk owl. The Smoke Owl is excellent at getting food day and night.
Because owls are birds of prey, photos of most of them, like images of other birds of prey, cause trembling and some fear.
Sparrow squad
The birds of the passerine order are known to absolutely everyone. They live almost all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica. This is the largest order of birds in terms of numbers - about 5000. They include siskin, sparrow, magpie, jackdaw, kinglet, jay, robin, blue tit, titmouse, etc. They feed on seeds and small insects.
The role of the order of birds
A detachment of birds is the main link in the fight against pests of various plants. They also help spread their seeds. They in turn feed on other animals.
