Why is morphology generally constrained in birds?Maximum body size imposed as a result of flight – larger size = larger takeoffsReduce body mass by lacking urinary bladders, many species only w/ 1 ovary & gonads of male & female smallNo max for birds w/o flightComposition of feathers-Composed of a specific type of beta keratin*also t-rex protein-Calmus – anchors feather to the skin-Rachis -Barbs-BarbulesDifferent types of feathers5 types:-Contour feathersremiges – wing feathersretrices – tail feathers-Semiplumes – large rachis with plumulaceous vanes-Down – entirely plumulaceous & rachis -Bristles – stiff rachis & barbs only -Filoplumes – fine hairlike feathers with few short barbs at the tip, used for senosryBone fusionsFurcula – chest boneSynsacrum – lower spine kindaPygostyle – tail boneTibiotarsus – thigh boneTarsometatarsus – kinda like shinKnow some of the “modern” birds that have gone extinct, how some of those extinctions were caused, and the effect some of those extinctions on other organismsNeognathae: Cathartidae?: Teratornithidae-TeratomsPaleognathae – Aepyornithiformes-elephant birds +3 meters tall, extinct 500 ys agoPaleognathae – DinornithiformesMoasFlightless, hunted to extinctionMany recent extinctions especially once exploration of islands beganHawaii: Passenger Pigeon – thought to be most abundant bird in the world, extinct in 1914New Zealand: Great Auk, DodoKnow any Orders (and the common names of these Orders)shown in slidesNeornithes – late cretaceous2 major groups – paleognathae & neognathaeSuperorders: 2 kinds 1) Paleognathae2 kinds:-Tinamous & Ratites: Tinamiformes & struthioniformesRatites are not? monophyleticTinamous is the sister clade of Ratites- Tinamous are nested inside ratites- Evolution of flightlessness – evidence shows that losses occurred independently among RatitesGeneral Characteristics-Largest living birds (ostrich)-Mostly unmistakable using external features (but not tinamous)-Many are flightless (but not all) & not all flightless birds are paleognathes-Most species have male paternal care-Diagnostic skull & palate features2) Neognathes + superorder Galloanserae2 Kinds:-Fowl & Waterfowl: Galliformes & anseriformesEvolution began in the late CretaceousProlific BreedersPolygynous or polygamousNeognathes – GalliformesFive families ~250 species-Megapodiidae - megapodes-Odontophoridae – new world quails-Phasianidae – Pheasants & partridges-Numididae – guineafowl-Cracidae – chachalacas, guans, curassowsWorldwide distMany species granivorousProlific; ideal for domesticationNeognathes - anseriformesThree families ~150 species-Anatidae – ducks, geese, swans-Anseranatidae – magpie goose-Anhimidae - screamersWorldwide distGrazers/diversProlific; ideal for domesticationNeognathes ~ neoaves95% of existing bird speciesRapid diversificationsLand birds (passerines, falcons, hawks, owls, woodpeckers,toucans, hornbills, kingfishers) Shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers, avocets, stilts)Waterbirds (penguins & tubenosed seabirds)Superfliers (swifts, hummingbirds, nightjars)Oddballs – rails & relatives & cuckoos & their rel’sUnclear – pigeons & doves, hotzin, kagu, grebe, flamingos)Neognathes – Podicipediformes, Phoenicopteriformes, Columbiformes etcColumbiformesMesitornithidae – mesitesPteroclidae – sandgrousePhaethontidae – tropic birdsPhoenicopteriformesPodicipediformes * Lobed toesCharacteristics:Multiple habits and ecological nichesFamilies with uncertain affinitiesNeognathes – Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, enigmatic “gruiformes” SuperfliersCaprimulgiformes – Night birds/night jar--Nocturnal/crepuscular--reduced feet, mostly insectivorous-Podargidae – frogmouths-Nyctibiidae – Potoo-Steatornithidae – oilbird-Gruiformes – 2 monotypic familiesApodiformes--3 families ~450 spp--aerial specialists--extremely reduced feet-Aegothelidae –owlet-nightjars-Apodidae – swifts-Hemiprocnidae – crested swiftlets-Trochilidae – hummingbirdsNeognathes – Opisthocomiformes, Cuculiformes, Gruiformes Aramidae – limpkinGruidae – cranesPsophiidae – trumpetersRallidae – (rails, coots) & Heliornithidae (finfoot)Otididae – bustardsOpisthicomiformes – hoatzinCuculiformes – 5 families ~ 150 spp-mostly insectivorous-zygodactyl feet-nest parasitesNeognathes- Water birds: Procellariiformes, Spheniciformes, Gaviiformes, MusophagiformesProcellariiformes – tube nosed seabirdsSphenisciformes – penguinsGaviiformes – diving birdsMusophagiformes – TuracosNeognathes – Water birds: Pelecaniformes & CiconiiformesPelecaniformes – totipalmate feet, gular pouchCiconiiformes: Ardeidae & Threskiornithidae – herons & ibises & spoonbillsCiconiiformes: Scopidae & Balaenicipitidae – hamerkop & shoebillPelecanidae – pelicansCiconiidae – storksNeognathes – Shorebirds: Charadriiformes-20 families -mostly insectivorous - many are migratoryNeognathes: Landbirds: Accipitridae, CathartidaeAccipitridae – hawks, eagles, osprey, secretary birds-carnivorous - raptorial body planCathartidae – new world vultures, condors-scavengers -acute sense of smellNeognathes – Landbirds: Coliiformes & strigiformesColiiformes – mousebirds, colies-frugivores/granivore -gregariousStrigiformes – owls-nocturnal -raptorial -excellent sense of hearingNeognathes: Landbirds: Trogoniformes-Trogons & quetzals-pantropical-heterodactyl feet-frugivorous-cavity nestersNeognathes: Landbirds: Piciformes, CoraciiformesPiciformes – woodpeckers, toucans, barbets, lioneyguidesCoraciiformes: 8-11 families depending on taxonomic scheme – bee eaters, motmots, kingfishers, hornbillsKnow if any of these Orders belong to “land birds”, “super fliers”, “water bird”, “shore bird”Know phylogenetic placement of: Palaeognathae, Neognathae, Galliformes, Anseriformes, Neoaves, and