Birds are amazing creatures with many characteristics that set them apart from other animals. Their broad, beautiful wings, stunning plumage, and incredible ability to fly make them some of the most popular animals in the world.
There certainly is more to birds than just their good looks. They have features that make them unique and perfectly suited to their environment. So, What makes a bird, a bird?
So, What Exactly Makes A Bird, A Bird?
There are many things that make a bird, a bird. But, the five most defining characteristics are their feathers, wings, beaks, legs, and skeletons. These physical features help them to survive in their natural habitat and make them distinct from other animals.
Birds may differ in ability and appearance, but they all have similar parts and features. Let’s explore the bird’s defining characteristics.
Beak
One of the most distinctive features of birds is their beak. Beaks function as both a mouth and a nose for birds. Their beaks are used for eating, drinking, preening their feathers, and even making nests. For instance, nectar-eating birds have long, curved beaks to help them reach the nectar at the bottom of flowers.
hummingbirds have a long, thin beak that is perfectly designed for sipping nectar from flowers. On the other hand, a pelican has a large, scoop-shaped beak that it uses to scoop up fish from the water.
Beaks come in all shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose – to help birds eat and drink.
Wings
The bird’s wings are probably its most iconic feature. Wings are what give birds the ability to fly. But, they also have other purposes like providing warmth, aiding in balance, and helping some birds swim.
Birds have two wings, one on each side of their body. The bones in their wings are hollow, which makes them lightweight and helps them fly. Their wings are also covered in feathers, which provide insulation and help them glide through the air.
The shape of a bird’s wing also varies depending on its flying style. For example, pigeons have broad wings that help them fly long distances, while hummingbirds have smaller wings that allow them to fly quickly and maneuver easily.
Birds use their wings for more than just flying. Some birds use their wings to help them swim. While diving, they extend their wings out to their sides and use them like flippers to paddle through the water.
Birds also use their wings to keep themselves warm. By fluffing up their feathers, they trap heat close to their body and stay nice and cozy.
Legs
The bird’s legs are another defining characteristic. Birds’ legs are long and skinny, which helps them perch on branches and gives them extra reach when they are flying.
Birds also have three toes pointing forward and one toe pointing backward. This helps them grip branches and gives them extra stability when they are perched. Some birds, like chickens, also have scales on their legs to protect them from predators.
Birds use their legs for more than just walking and perching. They also use them for swimming, climbing, and even grooming their feathers.
The shape of a bird’s leg also varies depending on its diet and habitat. For example, wading birds have long legs that help them walk through deep water. While, birds of prey have short, powerful legs that help them catch and kill their prey.
Feathers
All birds are covered with bird feathers of varying sizes. These are light and have a hollow shaft, which makes them perfect for flying!
Birds use their feathers for many things, such as flying, keeping warm, and attracting mates. The different colors and patterns of feathers also help birds camouflage with their environment and protect them from predators.
At times, you may spot random strands of bird feathers. This may be because birds molt or shed their feathers once a year. Molting is when new growing feathers replace old feathers. This process helps them stay healthy and keep their wings in good condition.
Although molting is annual in most species, some may molt twice a year, and some bird species may shed once every few years (large birds).
Let’s find out the types of feathers you can see in a single bird.
Contour Feathers
These feathers cover a bird’s body and give its shape. They have several parallel barbs that root from a central shaft. These barbs contain microscopic roots connected by minute hooks, which makes the feather vane strong.
Down Feathers
Down feathers are specialized feathers. They serve as insulation and trap air in spaces between each feather to control heat loss. These specialized feathers found under the contour feathers are small and fluffy.
Flight Feathers
Flight feathers are found on a bird’s wings and tail. These are the feathers that give birds the power of flight. The flight feathers are asymmetrical, which means that the vane (the flat portion of the feather) is wider on one side than the other. This helps the bird’s wing to create lift as it moves through the air.
Skeleton
Birds have a light but strong skeleton that helps them fly. Their bones are hollow and filled with air, which makes them lighter. Some of the bones are fused together to make them even stronger. The bones in a bird’s wings are very different from the bones in our arms.
The biggest difference is that birds have a lot more bones in their wings. Humans have just a few bones in each arm, but birds have dozens of bones in each wing!
Another difference is that the bones in a bird’s wing are connected to each other with muscles and ligaments. This allows the bird to move its wings up and down, which is necessary for flying.
The bones in a bird’s tail are also different from ours. They are fused together to form a single, long bone called the rectrices. This bone gives birds extra stability when they are flying.
Birds also have a lot of bones in their feet. This helps them grip branches and perch on narrow surfaces.
Other Bird Characteristics
Oviparous
Birds are oviparous animals. In easy terms, this is the process when birds lay eggs. They are oviparous because no embryonic or fertilization process happens inside the mother’s womb. They all occur when the bird has hatched an egg.
Most birds build nests to protect their eggs and newborn chicks. The male and female birds sit on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.
Birds typically lay anywhere from one to twelve eggs at a time. The size of the egg also varies depending on the bird species. For example, an ostrich egg is about fifteen times bigger than a hummingbird egg!
Endothermic
Birds are endothermic animals, meaning they can maintain their body temperature.
If you ask, what are the physical attributes that make them endothermic? Well, as mentioned, birds have a particular type of feather called down feathers. These small and fluffy feathers help keep birds warm. They also have a layer of fat under their skin to help insulate their bodies and keep them warm.
Birds are warm-blooded, and their body temperature is constant. They can maintain their body temperature by using the energy from food to generate body heat.
You might have noticed that birds like to sit in the sun. This is because they also use the sun’s heat to warm their bodies. To stay cool, birds pant or spread their wings to release heat.
More About Birds
Most bird species can fly, but not all of them can. Birds that cannot fly are called flightless birds. The largest living bird- ostrich, penguins, and kiwi are a few examples. But, hearing this, you might automatically think every flying creature is an Avian or a bird. Actually, no. Bats are not avians but mammals. They are furry flying beings that don’t lay eggs.
In addition, some bird species also prey underwater. They are aquatic birds. These water-surface lovers include loons, diving ducks, penguins, and auks. Some birds are also scavengers. Ravens, crows, and magpies are the popular ones. These birds are often seen on road kills, eating dead meat of animals.
Many bird species also serve as beneficial biological control agents. These are insectivorous birds who specifically forage for pest insects. They continuously consume them and control their numbers.
Need Help With Bird Infestation?
Some people enjoy a bird’s presence, but some find birds a real nuisance, especially when they nest in your home or business. They can cause property damage and may even carry diseases. If you need help with birds and their nesting or other animals on your property, AAAC Wildlife Removal is here to help. We have the experience and know-how to get rid of birds quickly and efficiently.
Give us a call, and we’ll remove them in the safest, most humane way possible.
Summary
There are more than 11,000 identified species of birds. Some populations have been growing abundantly, some are endangered, and some woefully went extinct.
In the coming generations, as the environment continues to change and the ecosystem continues to cope, the characteristics of birds might undergo modification. But remember, this won’t make them lose their essence as birds. At the end of the day, it’s just a process of evolution and adaptation.
FAQs
What are vertebrates?
Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone or spinal column. This spine supports the weight of their body and protects their spinal cord. Vertebrates also have a breastbone or a sternum, commonly found on the middle front portion of the rib cage of birds.
Do All Birds Undergo Migration?
No. Migration occurs when a change in the environment affects the food supply or the amount of sunlight available. Not all birds undergo migration. Some bird species are resident and domesticated birds, meaning they don’t migrate.
Originally published at AAAC Wildlife Removal:https://aaacwildliferemoval.com/blog/birds/characteristics-of-birds/
