Birds

1
Birds

• Anatomy and Physiology

A presentation for youth of all ages
By Joe Gerwin
2
Introduction to Birds

It doesnt matter if youre an adolescent or an
adult the world of birds is fun. In the next few
slides we will discover the insides and outsides
of birds. Thats right, were going to see the
digestive systems, circulatory systems, and
flight mechanics of many of the astonishing birds
of the world. This will be an in depth study of
not only what birds do but also why.
Lets Get Started!
3
What is so interesting about Birds?
Birds are extremely different from most other
organisms. The Bird Kingdom is the only Kingdom
that has organisms that can travel in everyway
possible. They can fly, swim, and run. Certain
species specialize in one of these methods. Such
as the ostrich which is the fasted two legged
runner on Earth or the penguin which is a very
good Swimmer. It is this fact that make birds
anatomy or bodies extremely different than other
animals.
Look At em Go Birds can Fly, Swim, and
Run. The Ostrich is The fastest two Legged
Runner In the world
4
How Birds Fly
Bone Structure is the greatest adaptation in the
birds arsenal for flying. Their bones are
lighter but just as strong because of the hollow
internal structure. Struts run diagonally across
the bone to keep the bone strong. Airplane
Manufactures take their wing designs from the
bone structure of birds.
Bird bones are hollow
5
Bird Bone Structure
Note Birds have more bones in their neck than
any other mammal.
6
The Perfect Athlete
The bird is the perfect athlete. Its heart
weighs proportionally twice as much as a mammals.
This is because of the large demand of good
circulatory stability in flight. However, birds
that do not fly also have this same attribute.
The Humming Bird has a heart rate of 600 beats
per Second!
7
Superior Methods
The Birds lungs provide a more efficient ratio
of oxygen concentration in their blood. This is
important for high altitude flying. The various
sacs
Surrounding the lungs help to pull in the air
easier.
The Pigeon breathes 450 times per minute in
flight.
8
Beep Beep
Birds use energy about as fast as they take it
in. They take in energy by no other way than
eating food. So if someone says that you eat
like a bird that means you eat a good amount,
because birds are constantly eating. It is also
essential for them to eat the right kinds of
foods.
9
Digest This
Birds have no teeth. However, they can digest
food 6 times faster than mammals. How does it
happen? There are two essential adaptations the
crop and the two stomach system. The Crop is a
storage unit for easy gluttony and escape. The
two stomachs are the upper and the
lower(Gizzard). The upper adds the enzymes and
the lower crunches the food.
10
Who are you calling Chicken?
Note Most of the birds weight is distributed
to the middle of the bird. This is to ensure
balance.
11
Uhh?
If birds are so superior, why dont they take
over the world? The bird is an excellent athlete
however its brain functionality isnt so great.
Generally a birds brain is larger than a
reptiles but considerably smaller than a
mammals. Some birds do have learning potential.
For instance the parrot can memorize a length of
spoken dialog. Birds also have a keen sense of
balance and quick reaction rate.
Finches in the Galapagos Islands use twigs to
spoon insects out of rotting trees. So the finch
has learned how to use tools!
12
Sources Cited

• Kaytee Discover Zone, www.kaytee.com/discovery/,
  Copy write 2001, Kaytee Products, Inc.
• The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
  Foundation, www.nhm.org/birds/home.html, Copy
  write 1998.
• The Long and Short of Bird Migration,
  www.tm.ask.com