A detachment of birds is considered one of the oldest. Its appearance dates back to the beginning of the Jurassic period. It is believed that the ancestors of the birds were mammals, the structure of which changed with the course of evolution.
The body temperature of birds
Representatives of this class have a constant and very high body temperature, it is not affected by changes in weather conditions. Animals with a similar phenomenon are called homeothermic. In mammals, it is much lower. The average temperature in a variety of birds is 42 ° C. Representatives of the passerine order have the highest body temperature - 45.5 ° . Such serious indicators play an important role in the course of various processes and metabolism in the poultry.
One of the most important factors is the constancy of body temperature, this is of great importance for the work of the brain in the cold season. Despite the low temperature, for example, in winter, due to this phenomenon, all birds lead an active lifestyle.
Similarities and differences with mammals
There are several characteristics that make birds similar to mammals:
- thin skin and a small number of glands in it;
- horny formations on the body are well developed;
- there is a cesspool, etc.
However, individual qualities significantly distinguish them:
- a constant temperature of 40-42 ° C does not decrease due to certain processes;
- breeding method, namely the construction of a nest, hatching eggs and feeding offspring;
- the central nervous system is more developed, this explains the adaptive existence.
Characteristic view. Feathers
A detachment of birds are vertebrate animals, their body is usually covered with feathers, and their wings are forelimbs. The legs are well developed, the body is streamlined. Thin skin allows feathers to be mobile. There are two types of them - down and contour.
The contour feather has a strong trunk, from which the plates come out, they are covered with short beards, fastened together by hooks. Not all skin surfaces are covered with similar feathers. Where there are none, fluff and feathers are usually observed, they have a softer structure, and they do not have a trunk. Contour feathers are named so because of their location, since they are mainly located along the contour of the whole body of the bird, on the wings and on the back. They play the main role in flight. Another important function of the feather coating is to protect the body from damage and heat loss.
A detachment of birds is also prone to molting, as feathers tend to wear out. There are species in which the entire cover changes simultaneously. For this period of time, they are deprived of the opportunity to fly 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 flying up to the sky. In other individuals, this process proceeds gradually. Shedding can also begin due to changing seasons.
The color of the feather cover is also diverse. It depends on the habitat of birds, season, gender and climatic conditions.
Breeding process
The order of birds refers to dioecious animals. Typically, breeding begins after the birds return 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, it all starts 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 takes courtship, a pair is formed. For the next season, many birds are looking for a new partner, but some make their alliance for life.
It should be noted that there are species of birds in which the couple are jointly engaged in the construction of a nest and feeding the chicks. And there are males who only fertilize the female, and all the worries pass without their participation.
After the pair is formed, the construction of the nest begins. Then eggs are laid, females usually incubate them, temporarily replaced by the male. Raising and feeding offspring is also done together. This lasts until the chicks become able to independently find their own food.
Species or orders of birds
There is an opinion that the first step in the division, or superorder, are penguins and all birds known to science (newborn). The reason that penguins were assigned to a separate group is the significant differences in structure and origin from all other birds. There is a lot of debate among scientists on the topic of which order or class some birds belong to, or how to create a separate family for them.
All orders of birds can still be divided into domestic and wild, migratory and non-migratory, aquatic, predatory, forest, living in open spaces and on cultural landscapes.
Detachment of chicken
The chicken squad bird can live in the forest, fields and are kept in the courtyards. These include chickens, hazel grouse, capercaillie, black grouse, white and gray partridge , etc. All
representatives of this detachment remain wintering in their usual places, with the exception of quail. In birds of this species, only the female takes care of the offspring. A significant part of chicken is domestic animals.
Squad of owls
The bird of the order of owls is predatory. Most of them are nocturnal. This species includes barn owl, white owl, eagle owl, owl owl, marsh owl, etc. Their biggest advantage is excellent hearing. It is he who helps to catch animals in the dark. Owls create a permanent pair for breeding. The female hatches the eggs, but feeding the offspring is already the concern of both parents. Among daytime hunters it is worth noting a passerine owl, a white and hawk owl. Smoke owl excellent food both day and night.
Since owls are birds of prey, photos of most of them, like images of other birds of prey, cause trembling and some fear.
Squad of passerines
Sparrow birds are known to absolutely everyone. They live almost throughout the globe, with the exception of Antarctica. This is the largest detachment of birds - about 5000. These include the Siskin, Sparrow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Kinglet, Jay, Zaryanka, Blue Tit, Titmouse, etc. They feed on seeds and small insects.
The role of the bird squad
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.