BIRDS

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BIRDS
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BIRDS

• Origin of birds not yet well understood,
  controversial.
• from dinosaurs ??
• ?Subclass Aves in Class Dinosauria
• from some other related group ??
• ?Class Aves ( Birds)

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BIRDS

• Origin in mid-Mesozoic
• Archeopteryx from mid-Jurassic Solnhofen
  limestone, Bavaria
• Impressions of feathers
• Recent discoveries suggest birds were already
  abundant diverse by mid-Mesozoic.

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Characters of Birds

• http//facstaff.gpc.edu/apennima/Diversity/birds.
  htm

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Characters of Birds

• Feathers
• Keratinized beak
• Gizzard
• Clavicles fused into wishbone (furcula)
• Keeled sternum
• Reduced hand skeleton
• Short, compact airframe skeleton

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Orders of Birds

• http//facstaff.gpc.edu/apennima/Diversity/birds.
  htm

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Birds in National International Wildlife
Conservation

• Birds are active, colorful, conspicuous parts of
  human environment.
• Birds are often monogamous, exhibit parental
  care.
• People LIKE birds.
• Create refuges for birds
• Pass laws to protect birds

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Birds in National International Wildlife
Conservation

• Many birds migrate across international borders.
• Laws in one nation do not protect in another
  country
• Hunting or habitat destruction in S. America
  could be killing birds of USA
• International treaties exist to protect migratory
  birds
• Laws passed to enforce treaties.

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Birds in National International Wildlife
Conservation

• Organizations (Audubon Soc., World Wildlife Fund)
  active to protect habitat in USA and other
  countries.
• Also protects habitats of other biota. By
  protecting habitat for birds, we protect habitat
  for all other living things in those places.