Feather Notes
 
Picture
Skeletal Adaptations

The skeletons of birds are much different than the skeletons of other vertebrates because it must support the ability to fly.  Many bones are fused together and others that are common in other vertebrate skeletons have been removed from the bird skeleton to make it more efficient for flying.  Many of the remaining bones, such as those in the wings, have been pneumatized, or hollowed out.  There are internal supports within these bones to prevent them from collapsing.  Many people believe that the skeletons weigh less relative to their bodies than in other vertebrates.  This idea is false.  Although some bones are pneumatized, flight places new burdens on a bird’s skeleton.  For example, the leg bones and the sternum (which the wing bones are connected to) need to be especially sturdy and are stronger than in other vertebrates.  Instead of having a very light skeleton as many believe, birds have lightened and strengthened different bones to adapt the bird for flight.  

Picture
Respiratory Adaptations

            Because flying is a much more strenuous physical activity than anything that other animals do birds have a much more efficient respiratory system.  A very important adaptation to the avian respiratory system is the air sacs that allow birds to have a one-way respiratory tract that maximizes oxygen intake.  When birds inhale, air enters the posterior air sac. Upon exhalation, it enters the lungs, where an extremely efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.  Upon a second inhalation, the air from the lungs enters the anterior air sac, the lungs shrink, and more air enters the posterior air sac.  With the second exhalation, the air from the anterior air sacs exits the body and air enters the lungs again.  This system allows birds to empty their lungs between breaths more than other vertebrates.  This causes more gas exchange with fresh, oxygen-rich air, increasing the birds total oxygen intake. 

Picture
Circulatory Adaptations

            The circulatory system of birds consists of a four-chambered heart with two separate sides.  One side receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it into the lungs.  The other side receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it through the body.  This circulatory system never allows oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood to mix, creating an efficient system of gas exchange.  This system prepares a bird for flight.  


Reproductive Adaptations

            Birds’ reproductive organs are small for the greater part of the year to decrease the birds’ weight for flight.  Only during mating season do reproductive organs reach functional size.

Muscular Adaptations

            The flight muscles of most birds are red because they have many oxygen-transporting substances within them.  Flight muscles also receive a large amount of oxygenated blood.  These adaptations allow flight muscles to receive the maximum amount of oxygen so they can perform cellular respiration and generate energy for flight.

Nervous Adaptations

            Birds have extremely developed brains that allow them to transmit nerve impulses extremely quickly throughout the body.  They have keen senses of sight and hearing.  These adaptations allow birds to process information and react accordingly during flight.  Speedy reaction time allows bird to fly quickly and alertly.  They can avoid obstacles and potential predators quickly because of their nervous systems.   

Sources


Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.