Ornithology

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Ornithology

• The Study of Birds

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All about Birds

• What is a bird?
• What makes a bird a bird?
• How does a bird fly?
• Why do birds sing?
• What is a brood and a clutch?
• What is bird banding?

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What is a bird?

• A bird-
• Is a warm-blooded animal
• Lays eggs
• Has two legs
• Has feathers and wings
• Most can fly
• Over 9,000 different species

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Parts of a Bird
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What makes a bird a bird?

• Feathers-
• only creatures that have feathers
• very light
• allow flight
• provide insulation
• water proof
• two types- Down and Contour

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Two Types of Feathers

• Down Feathers
• Soft, short, and fluffy
• Found next to skin
• Provide insulation to keep bird warm
• Used in coats and blankets

• Contour Feathers
• Large and Stiff
• Give shape to the bird
• Also known as flight feathers
• Helps them fly
• Helps with balance and steering

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Preening Feathers

• When birds feathers become ruffled and unzipped,
  birds zip their feathers back together with the
  use of oil to make them smooth again this is
  called preening

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Molting

• The process of shedding and replacing feathers
  every year.
• They replace a few at a time
• Most birds molt at least once and some twice

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Plumage

• Breeding Plumage
• A coat of feathers worn by many birds during
  breeding season.
• Often brighter than the winter plumage

• Winter Plumage
• A coat of feathers worn during the non-breeding
  season, usually during the winter months.
• Often less bright and more dull colors than the
  breeding plumage

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How does a bird fly?

• A birds wing is just like an airplane wing. It
  is curved from front to back.
• As the birds wings flap, air flows faster over
  the top than on the bottom of the wing.
• Causing more pressure to push the wing up
  creating lift.

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Two Ways to Fly

• Gliding
• Hovering

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Two More Ways to Fly

• Soaring
• Flapping

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Fun facts about fliers

• Fastest Fliers
• Peregrine Falcons can reach 200 mph on dives.
• Dunlins can fly around 100 mph.
• American Robins can fly about 25 mph.
• Bald Eagles can fly 20 to 40 mph and dive up to
  100 mph

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Why do Birds Sing?

• Mark their territory
• Scare away other birds
• Tell of danger

• Attract mates
• Earn Respect from other birds

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What is a brood and a clutch?

• Brood- is when a bird sits on eggs in order to
  hatch them.
• A clutch is a set of eggs laid by one bird, could
  be 2 to 5 eggs.

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What is bird banding?

• Bird Banding Involves
• Catching a bird
• Placing a metal band on one leg
• Collecting data- age, gender, size, kind,
  condition, etc.
• Releasing it unharmed

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Why do we band birds

• To determine movement of birds
• To identify areas where bird is located
• To determine life expectancy
• To obtain info on their life cycle
• To determine population

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The End

• By Mr. Harskamp
• January 30, 2004