What are the types of birds: their names and descriptions. wild birds

TO bird class belongs to more than 8600 species of animals adapted for flight. More than 400 species of these animals are known in Ukraine. All species of birds have a short, streamlined body covered with feathers. Their forelimbs have evolved into wings, while their hind limbs are used to move on the ground, plant branches, or swim in water. Homoiothermen, the ability to fly and a fairly high level of development of the nervous system determined the originality of this group of vertebrates.

The external structure of birds

The body of birds is divided into the same sections as in reptiles, but the tail section is shortened. Birds have a more or less elongated flexible neck. Thanks to this, they can turn their heads 180 ° or more (for example, owls - 270 °). On the head are eyes protected by three eyelids (upper, lower and ciliated membrane), nostrils and auditory openings. The beak consists of the upper part - the upper beak and the lower part - we peck. At the base of the beak of bird species (for example, pigeons) is a soft skin bundle - wax.

The forelimbs are wings adapted for flight. Only three fingers covered with skin remained on them. Birds are bipedal animals. The feet basically have four toes. Three of them are directed forward, and one is backward. This allows the birds to embrace the branches and provides support while moving on the ground. But in birds capable of fast running (for example, ostriches), the number of toes can be reduced to three or even two (for example, in an African ostrich).

Integuments of the body of a bird

Birds, like reptiles, have dry skin, almost devoid of glands. Only above the base of the tail in many species do the ducts of the coccygeal gland open. With the secret of this gland (fat-like substances), birds lubricate the feather cover with the help of their beak, which makes it elastic and waterproof. The skin of birds forms various horny derivatives: these are the beaks and mandibles already known to you, as well as the claws on the tips of the fingers and horny scales covering the lower part of the legs. A variety of feathers is also a derivative of the skin of birds. Feathers, like the scales on the legs, are composed of a horn-like substance. Individual feathers consist of a rod, from which numerous thin outgrowths - beards - extend in both directions. The collection of beards is called a fan. The empty part of the rod, aimed at the skin, not the beard. Allocate contour and down feathers.

Contour feathers cover the bird's body from the outside. Their fan is formed by barbs of the 1st and 2nd orders. Barbs of the 1st order depart directly from the rod, and already from them - barbs of the 2nd order. Beards of the 2nd order have small hooks that link them together. Thanks to this, the webs of contour feathers are flexible, resilient, light and almost impermeable to air. Depending on the functions and location of the contour feathers, they are divided into integumentary, fly and tail feathers. Integumentary feathers protect the body from mechanical damage. Flywheels - large and elastic increase the surface of the wing. Birds have large tail feathers on their tails. The contour feathers have down feathers and down. These are feathers with a thin shaft, from which only the beards of the first order extend. Since these beards are not interlocked, down feathers do not have a dense web. They form a continuous cover. Between him and the body of the bird contains a layer of air, which retains heat well. The presence of feathers is one of the necessary conditions flight in birds.

This cover makes the body of birds streamlined. The flight feathers increase the wing area, create thrust and lift, and the tail feathers provide regulation of the flight direction. The bird also uses tail feathers for braking when landing. Once or twice a year, the feather coat of birds partially or completely changes, the process of molting occurs. In place of old worn out feathers, new ones grow out.

bird skeleton

The skeleton of birds is characterized by lightness, since part of the bones has a cavity filled with air. It is divided into the skeleton of the head (skull), torso (spine and chest), limbs and their belts.

A characteristic feature of the bird skull is that most of its bones are fused together. A large volume of the brain box is associated with the development of the brain. Large eye sockets are also noteworthy.

The jaws of birds are elongated and, as you already know, covered with horny sheaths. Thanks to this, a perfect apparatus for capturing food is created, because birds do not have teeth.

The ridge of birds has features associated with flight. So, the cervical region consists of a large number vertebrae (from 11 to 25). This gives considerable mobility to the head. The thoracic vertebrae are fused together with a complex sacrum. The complex sacrum is formed by fused lumbar sacral vertebrae and part of the tail. This creates resistance in the body. The last tail vertebrae fuse together to form the coccygeal bone.

Ribs are attached to the thoracic vertebrae, which together with the sternum form chest. In most species of birds, the sternum has a flat outgrowth, protrudes forward - the keel. Muscles are attached to it, which ensure the movement of the wings during flight. The girdle of the forelimbs (wings) of birds consists of the same bones as in reptiles. But pay attention to the fact that the clavicles are fused together, forming the so-called fork. It gives elasticity to the belt of the forelimbs.

The wing skeleton has three sections: shoulder, forearm and hand. The belt of the hind limbs (legs) of birds is characterized by strength. The hind limbs are divided into thigh, lower leg and foot.

Most of the bones of the foot grow together and form a long bone - the forearm, which, together with the fingers, is covered with horny scales. The forearm provides the foot with strength and stability.

Musculature of birds

In birds, the large pectoral muscles have the largest mass, lower the wing. Their movements create lift. Small pectoral muscles raise the wing. Hypodermic muscles move individual feathers. If the air temperature drops, they shrink and the bird's feathers bristle. At the same time, the layer of air between the feathers and the skin increases, which ensures the preservation of body heat.

flight of birds

It is thanks to the movements of the wings that birds rise into the air. The sickle wings are capable of developing the highest speed in horizontal flight - up to 160 km per hour. In many species (rooks, common cranes, herring gulls, wild geese, etc.), the flight speed during migration reaches from 50 to 90 km per hour. Although the flight of most bird species during migrations occurs at low altitudes (from a few tens of meters to 1 km), cases of geese flying at altitudes up to 10 km, and vultures - up to 11 km, have been recorded. The eagle, vulture and other representatives of the Falcon-shaped series have wide wings. Using ascending and descending air currents, they are able to soar in it for a long time.
And what can we say about birds that destroy an incredible number of insects and rodents - pests of agriculture and forestry. A tit eats as many insects per day as it weighs itself.

If it were possible to put together in one line of insects that the swift consumes over the summer, then it would stretch for a kilometer. Especially many harmful insects are destroyed by birds during the nesting period. So, a pair of pink starlings feeds 350 g of locusts to chicks per day, and 10.8 kg per month. For a month, thousands of starlings living in the colony, together with their chicks, destroyed 22 tons of locusts. One owl eats up to 1000 gray voles and mice during the summer, which means it saves 1 ton of bread.

At the same time, if we recall the role of orderly birds that destroy many flies and other carriers of dangerous diseases and cleanse the earth of carrion and various garbage, birds that destroy weed seeds, birds that carry seeds of valuable trees and shrubs, then it is not difficult to understand which are faithful and disinterested feathered friends in humans.

We should not forget about the aesthetic pleasure that birds give us. Our forests and parks, gardens and fields would lose much of their beauty if the birds did not enliven them with their fuss, melodious chirping and singing.

Looking at the birds, it is impossible to keep the emotions of happiness. After all, probably, every person would like to fly like a bird!!

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bird species

bearded man

petrel

red whistling duck

partridge

Paradise Bird

long-eared owl

blackbirds

toucan

BIRDS
(Aves)
a class of vertebrates that unites animals that differ from all other animals in the presence of a feather cover. Birds are distributed throughout the world, are very diverse, numerous and easily accessible for observation. These highly organized creatures are sensitive, receptive, multicolored, elegant and have the most interesting habits. Since birds are highly visible, they can serve as a convenient indicator of the state of the environment. If they prosper, then the environment is prosperous. If their numbers are declining and they cannot reproduce normally, the state of the environment most likely leaves much to be desired. Like other vertebrates - fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals - the basis of the skeleton of birds is a chain of small bones - vertebrae on the dorsal side of the body. Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded; their body temperature remains relatively constant despite fluctuations in ambient temperature. They differ from most mammals in that they lay eggs. The features specific to the class of birds are primarily associated with the ability of these animals to fly, although some of their species, such as ostriches and penguins, lost it in the course of their later evolution. As a result, all birds are relatively similar in shape and cannot be confused with other taxa. They stand out even more thanks to their feathers, which are not found in any other animal. So, birds are feathered, warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrates, originally adapted for flight.
ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION
Modern birds, according to most scientists, are descended from small primitive reptiles, pseudosuchians, who lived in the Triassic period about 200 million years ago. Competing with their brethren for food and escaping from predators, some of these creatures over the course of evolution have increasingly adapted to climbing trees and jumping from branch to branch. Gradually, as the scales lengthened and turned into feathers, they acquired the ability to plan, and then to active, i.e. waving, flying. However, the accumulation of fossil evidence has led to an alternative theory. More and more paleontologists believe that modern birds evolved from small carnivorous dinosaurs that lived at the end of the Triassic and in the Jurassic, most likely from the group of the so-called. coelurosaurs. They were bipedal forms with long tails and small prehensile forelimbs. Thus, the ancestors of birds did not necessarily climb trees, and for the formation of active flight there was no need for a gliding stage. It could arise from the flapping movements of the forelimbs, probably used to knock down flying insects, for which, by the way, the predators had to jump high. In parallel, transformations of scales into feathers, reduction of the tail and other profound anatomical changes took place. In light of this theory, birds represent a specialized evolutionary lineage of dinosaurs that survived their mass extinction at the end of the Mesozoic era.
Archeopteryx. The discovery in Europe of the remains of an extinct creature, Archeopteryx, made it possible to connect birds with reptiles. (Archaeopteryx lithographica) who lived in the second half of the Jurassic period, i.e. 140 million years ago. It was about the size of a dove, had sharp, well-pitched teeth, a long, lizard-like tail, and forelegs with three toes bearing hooked claws. In most ways, Archeopteryx looked more like a reptile than a bird, except for the real feathers on the forelimbs and tail. Its features show that it was capable of flapping flight, but only for very short distances.

Other ancient birds. Archeopteryx has long been the only known to science a link between birds and reptiles, however, in 1986, the remains of another fossil creature were found that lived 75 million years earlier and combined signs of dinosaurs and birds. Although this animal was called Protoavis (first bird), it evolutionary significance causes controversy among scholars. After Archeopteryx, there is a gap in the fossil record of birds lasting approx. 20 million years. The following finds date back to the Cretaceous, when adaptive radiation had already given rise to many bird species adapted to different habitats. Among the approximately two dozen Cretaceous taxa known from fossils, two of particular interest are Ichthyornis and Hesperornis. Both were opened in North America, in rocks formed on the site of a vast inland sea. Ichthyornis was the same size as Archeopteryx, but outwardly resembled a seagull with well-developed wings, indicating the ability for powerful flight. As with modern birds, he had no teeth, but the vertebrae looked like fish, hence the generic name meaning "fish bird". Hesperornis ("western bird") was 1.5-1.8 m long and almost wingless. With the help of huge flipper-like legs, moving sideways at a right angle at the very end of the body, he apparently swam and dived no worse than loons. It had teeth of a "reptilian" type, but the structure of the vertebrae corresponded to that typical of modern birds.
The appearance of flapping flight. In the Jurassic period, birds acquired the ability to actively fly. This means that thanks to the swing of the forelimbs, they were able to overcome the effect of gravity and received a lot of advantages over their ground, climbing and gliding competitors. The flight allowed them to catch insects in the air, effectively avoid predators and choose the most favorable environmental conditions for life. Its development was accompanied by the shortening of the long burdensome tail, replacing it with a fan of long feathers, well adapted for steering and braking. Most of the anatomical transformations necessary for active flight were completed by the end of the Early Cretaceous (about 100 million years ago), i.e. long before the extinction of the dinosaurs.
The emergence of modern birds. With the onset of the Tertiary period (65 million years ago), the number of bird species began to increase rapidly. The most ancient fossil penguins, loons, cormorants, ducks, hawks, cranes, owls and some song taxa date back to this period. In addition to these ancestors of modern species, several huge flightless birds appeared, apparently occupying the ecological niche of large dinosaurs. One of them was Diatryma, found in Wyoming, 1.8-2.1 m tall, with massive legs, a powerful beak and very small, underdeveloped wings. At the end of the Tertiary period (1 million years ago) and during the early Pleistocene, or epoch of glaciation, the number and diversity of birds reached a maximum. Even then, there were many current species that lived side by side with those that later became extinct. A remarkable example of the latter is Teratornis incredibilis from Nevada (USA), a huge condor-like bird with a wingspan of 4.8-5.1 m; it is probably the largest known bird capable of flight. Recently extinct and endangered species. Man in historical times, no doubt, contributed to the extinction of a number of birds. The first documented case of this kind was the destruction of a flightless dodo (Raphus cucullatus) from the island of Mauritius in Indian Ocean. For 174 years after the discovery of the island by Europeans in 1507, the entire population of these birds was exterminated by sailors and animals that they brought on their ships. The first species of North America that became extinct at the hands of man was the great auk (Alca impennis) in 1844. It also did not fly and nested in colonies on the Atlantic islands near the continent. Sailors and fishermen easily killed these birds for meat, fat and making cod bait. Shortly after the disappearance of the great auk, 2 species became human victims in the east of the North American continent. One of them was the Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). Farmers killed these flocking birds in large numbers as thousands of them regularly raided the orchards. Another extinct species is the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), ruthlessly exterminated for meat. From 1600 all over the world disappeared, probably ca. 100 kinds of birds. Most of them were represented by small populations on sea islands. Often incapable of flight, like a dodo, and almost not afraid of man and the small predators he brought, they became easy prey for them. Currently, many species of birds are also on the verge of extinction or, at best, threatened by it. In North America, the California condor, yellow-footed plover, American crane, Eskimo curlew and white-billed king woodpecker (possibly now extinct) are in the most deplorable position. In other regions, a great danger threatens the Bermuda typhoon, the Philippine harpy, the kakapo (owl parrot) from New Zealand - a flightless nocturnal species, as well as the Australian ground parrot. The unenviable position of the birds listed above was mainly due to the fault of man, who brought their populations to the brink of extinction through uncontrolled hunting, the ill-considered use of pesticides, or the radical transformation of natural habitats.

SPREAD
The distribution of any bird species is limited to a specific geographical area, the so-called. an area that varies greatly in size. Some species, such as the barn owl (Tyto alba), are almost cosmopolitan; found on several continents. Others, such as the Puerto Rican shovel (Otus nudipes), do not extend beyond a single island. In migratory species, nesting areas are distinguished in which they breed, and sometimes wintering areas that are very remote from them. Due to the ability to fly, birds tend to be widespread and expand their ranges whenever possible. As a result, they are constantly changing, which, of course, does not apply to the inhabitants of small isolated islands. Natural factors may contribute to the expansion of the range. Probably the prevailing winds or typhoons around 1930 carried the Egyptian heron (Bubulcus ibis) from Africa to the eastern coasts. South America. From there, it began to rapidly move north, in 1941 or 1942 it reached Florida, and now it is found even in the southeast of Canada, i.e. its range covered almost the entire east of North America. Man contributed to the expansion of ranges, introducing species into regions new to them. Two classic examples- This is a house sparrow and an ordinary starling, which came in the last century from Europe to North America and settled throughout this continent. By changing natural habitats, man has also unintentionally stimulated the spread of some species.
Continental areas. Land birds are distributed over six zoogeographic regions. These areas are as follows: 1) Palearctic, i.e. non-tropical Eurasia and northern Africa, including the Sahara; 2) Nearctic, i.e. Greenland and North America, except for the lowlands of Mexico; 3) Neotropics - the plains of Mexico, Central, South America and the West Indies; 4) Ethiopian region, i.e. Sub-Saharan Africa, southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar; 5) Indo-Malay region, covering the tropical part of Asia and the adjacent islands - Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi (Celebes), Taiwan and the Philippines; 6) Australian region - Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and the islands of the Southwest Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands. The Palearctic and Nearctic are inhabited by 750 and 650 bird species, respectively; this is less than in any of the other 4 areas. However, the number of individuals of many species is much higher there, since they have more extensive habitats and fewer competitors. The opposite extreme is the Neotropics, where approx. 2900 species of birds, i.e. more than in any other area. However, many of them are represented by relatively small populations confined to individual mountain ranges or river valleys of South America, which is called the "Bird Continent" because of the abundance and diversity of birds. Colombia alone has 1,600 species, more than any other country in the world. There are approximately 1900 species of birds in the Ethiopian region. Notable among them is the African ostrich, the largest modern representative of this class. Of the 13 families endemic to the Ethiopian region (that is, not beyond its borders), five are found exclusively in Madagascar. In the Indo-Malay region, there are also approx. 1900 species. Almost all pheasants live here, including the Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus) and the Bankavian jungle hen (Gallus gallus), from which the domestic chicken is descended. The Australian area is inhabited by approximately 1200 species of birds. Of the 83 families represented here, 14 are endemic, more than in any other area. This is an indicator of the originality of many local birds. Among the endemic groups are large flightless kiwis (in New Zealand), emus and cassowaries, lyrebirds, birds of paradise (mainly in New Guinea), gazebos, etc.
Island areas. As a rule, the farther from the continents the oceanic islands, the less bird species there are. The birds that managed to reach these places and survive there are not necessarily the best flyers, but their ability to adapt to the environment clearly turned out to be on top. Long isolation on islands lost in the ocean has led to the accumulation of evolutionary changes sufficient to turn the settlers into independent species. Example - Hawaii: despite small area archipelago, its avifauna includes 38 endemic species.
Marine areas. Birds that forage in the sea, and visit the land primarily for nesting, are naturally called sea birds. Representatives of the Procellariiformes order, such as albatrosses, petrels, fulmars and storm petrels, can fly over the ocean for months and feed on aquatic animals and plants without even approaching land. Penguins, gannets, frigatebirds, razorbills, murres, puffins, most cormorants, and some gulls and terns feed mainly on fish in coastal zone and are rarely seen away from it.
Seasonal areas. In each specific area, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, this bird species can only be found in a certain season, and then migrate to another place. On this basis, 4 categories of birds are distinguished: summer residents nesting in the area in summer, transit species stopping there on migration, winter lodgers arriving there for wintering, and permanent residents (sedentary species) that never leave the area.
ecological niches. No bird species occupies all parts of its range, but is found only in certain places or habitats, for example, in a forest, in a swamp or in a field. In addition, species in nature do not exist in isolation - each depends on the vital activity of other organisms occupying the same habitats. Thus, each species is a member of a biological community, a natural system of interdependent plants and animals. Within each community there are so-called. food chains that include birds: they consume some kind of food and, in turn, serve someone else as food. Only a few species are found in all parts of the habitat. Usually some organisms inhabit the surface of the soil, others - low bush, others - the upper tier of tree crowns, etc. In other words, each bird species, like representatives of other groups of living things, has its own ecological niche, i.e. special position in the community, as if "profession". ecological niche is not identical to the locality, or "address", of the taxon. It depends on its anatomical, physiological and behavioral adaptations, i.e., say, on the ability to nest in the upper or lower tier of the forest, endure summer or winter there, feed day or night, etc. Territories with a certain type of vegetation are characterized by a specific set of nesting birds. For example, species such as ptarmigan and snow bunting are confined to the northern tundra. Coniferous forests are characterized by capercaillie and crossbills. Most of the species we know well live in areas where natural communities have been destroyed, directly or indirectly, by civilization and replaced by anthropogenic (man-made) forms of the environment, such as fields, pastures, and green suburbs. Such habitats are more widespread than natural ones, and are inhabited by numerous and diverse birds.
BEHAVIOR
The behavior of a bird covers all its actions, from ingestion of food to the reaction to environmental factors, including other animals, including individuals of its own species. Most of the behavioral acts in birds are innate, or instinctive, i.e. their implementation does not require previous experience (learning). For example, some species always scratch their heads by bringing their leg over the lowered wing, while others simply stretch it forward. Such instinctive actions are as characteristic of the species as body shape and coloration. Many forms of behavior in birds are acquired, i.e. based on learning - life experience. Sometimes what seems to be pure instinct requires a certain amount of practice in order to normalize and adapt to the circumstances. Thus, behavior is often a combination of instinctual components and learning.
Key incentives (releasers). Behavioral acts, as a rule, are induced by environmental factors, which are called key stimuli, or releasers. They can be shape, pattern, movement, sound, etc. Almost all birds respond to social releasers - visual or auditory, with which individuals of the same species transmit information to each other or cause direct responses. Such releasers are called signal stimuli, or demonstrations. An example is the red spot on the mandible of adult herring gulls, which elicits a begging reaction in their chick.
Conflict situations. A special kind of behavior occurs in a conflict situation. Sometimes it is a so-called. shift activity. For example, a herring gull, driven from its nest by a stranger, does not rush into a counterattack, but instead cleans feathers, which are already in excellent condition. In other cases, it may be redirected, say, in a territorial dispute, to vent its hostility by pulling out blades of grass instead of fighting. Another type of behavior in a conflict situation is the so-called. initial movements, or movements of intention. The bird crouches or throws up its wings, as if trying to take off, or opens its beak and clicks it, as if wanting to pinch an opponent, but remains in place.
Marriage demonstrations. All of the listed forms of behavior are of particular interest, since in the course of evolution they can be ritualized within the framework of the so-called. marriage demonstrations. Often the movements associated with them become as if emphasized and, therefore, more noticeable, which is facilitated by the bright color of the corresponding parts of the plumage. For example, offset feathering is common in duck mating displays. Many species of birds use wing tossing during courtship, which initially played the role of the initial movement in a conflict situation.

EXAMPLE OF MARRIAGE DEMONSTRATION. The male of the magnificent lyrebird, living in Australia, when caring for a female, unfolds his huge tail and bends it forward over his head, almost completely "curtaining" with his feathers.

Addictive. This word refers to the fading of the response to a repeated stimulus, followed by neither "reward" nor "punishment." For example, if you knock on the nest, the chicks raise their heads and open their mouths, since for them this sound means the appearance of a parent with food; if food does not appear several times after the impact, such a reaction in the chicks quickly fades. Taming is also the result of habituation: the bird stops responding to human actions, which at first caused her fear.
Trial and error. Trial and error learning is selective (uses the principle of selection) and is based on reinforcement. The fledgling that left the nest for the first time in search of food pecks at pebbles, leaves and other small objects that stand out against the surrounding background. Eventually, by trial and error, he learns to distinguish between stimuli that are rewarding (food) and those that do not.
Imprinting (imprinting). During a short early period of life, birds are capable of a special form of learning called imprinting or imprinting. For example, a newly hatched gosling that sees a person before its own mother will follow on its heels, not paying attention to the goose.
Insight. The ability to solve simple problems without resorting to trial and error is called "capturing relationships," or insight. For example, the woodpecker tree finch (Catospiza pallida) from the Galapagos Islands “by eye” picks up a needle from a cactus in order to extract an insect from a cavity in the wood with it. Some birds, in particular the great tit (Parus major), immediately begin to pull the food suspended on it by the thread.

Synchronization. Migration is synchronized with the season and breeding cycle; it will not occur until the bird is physiologically ready for it and receives an appropriate external stimulus. Before migration, the bird eats a lot, accumulating weight and storing energy in the form of subcutaneous fat. Gradually, she comes into a state of "migratory anxiety." In spring, it is stimulated by lengthening of daylight hours, which activates the gonads (sex glands), changing the work of the pituitary gland. In autumn, the bird reaches the same state as the length of the day shortens, which causes inhibition of the function of the gonads. In order for an individual ready to migrate to set off, it needs a special external stimulus, such as a change in the weather. This stimulus is provided by the movement of a warm atmospheric front in spring and a cold one in autumn. During migration, most birds fly at night, when they are less threatened by winged predators, and spend the day feeding. Both single-species and mixed flocks, family groups and single individuals travel. On the road, birds are usually in no hurry, spending several days, or even a week, in a favorable place.
Flight paths. Many birds have short journeys. Mountain species descend lower until they find enough food, spruce crossbills fly to the nearest area with good harvest cones. However, some birds migrate great distances. The Arctic tern has the longest flight path: every year it flies from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, covering at least 40,000 km both ways. The speed of migration depends on the species. A flock of waders can accelerate up to 176 km/h. Stonestone flies 3,700 km south, making an average of 920 km per day. Radar measurements of airspeed have shown that for most small birds on calm days it ranges from 21 to 46 km/h; larger birds, such as ducks, hawks, falcons, waders, and swifts, fly faster. The flight is characterized by a constant, but not the maximum speed for the species. Since it takes more energy to overcome a headwind, birds tend to wait it out. In spring, species migrate north as if according to a schedule, reaching certain points at the same time from year to year. Extending non-stop flight segments as they approach the target, they cover the last few hundred kilometers at a much higher speed.
Heights. As radar measurements show, the altitude at which the flight is made varies so much that it is impossible to speak of any normal or average values ​​here. However, nocturnal migrants are known to fly higher than daytime migrants. Among migratory birds recorded over the Cape Cod Peninsula (USA, Massachusetts) and the nearest ocean area, 90% stayed at an altitude of less than 1500 m. not through them. However, if the cloud cover extends to high altitudes at night, birds may fly under it as well. In doing so, they are attracted to tall, illuminated buildings and lighthouses, sometimes leading to deadly encounters. According to radar measurements, birds rarely rise above 3000 m. However, some migrants reach amazing heights. In September, over the south-eastern part of England, birds were noted flying at around approx. 6300 m. Radar tracking and observation of silhouettes crossing the disk of the moon showed that night migrants, as a rule, do not "attach" to the landscape in any way. Birds flying during the day tend to follow land landmarks elongated from north to south - mountain ranges, river valleys and long peninsulas.
Navigation. As experiments have shown, to determine the direction of migration, birds have several instinctive methods in their basis. Some species, such as the starling, use the sun as a guide. With the help of "internal clocks" they maintain a given direction, making allowance for the constant displacement of the luminary above the horizon. Night migrants navigate by position bright stars, in particular Ursa Major and the North Star. Keeping them in sight, the birds instinctively fly north in spring and away from it in autumn. Even when dense clouds reach high altitudes, many migrants are able to keep the right direction. They may be using the direction of the wind, or familiar terrain cues if they are visible. It is unlikely that any species is guided in navigation by a single factor of the external environment.
MORPHOLOGY
Morphology is usually understood as the external structure of the animal, in contrast to the internal, which is usually called anatomical. The beak of a bird consists of the upper and lower jaws (mandible and mandible), covered with horn covers. Its shape depends on the method of obtaining food characteristic of the species, therefore it allows us to judge the feeding habits of the bird. The beak is long or short, curved up or down, spoon-shaped, serrated or with crossed jaws. In almost all birds, it wears off at the tip from use, and its horny cover must be continuously renewed. Most species have a black beak. However, there are most different variants its coloration, and in some birds, such as puffins and toucans, this is the most bright area body.

The eyes of birds are very large, because these animals are guided mainly by sight. The eyeball is mostly hidden under the skin, and only the dark pupil is visible, surrounded by a colored iris. In birds, in addition to the upper and lower eyelids, there is also a "third" eyelid - the nictitating membrane. This is a thin, transparent fold of skin, approaching the eye from the side of the beak. The nictitating membrane moisturizes, cleanses and protects the eye, instantly closing it in case of danger of contact with an external object. The ear openings, located behind and slightly below the eyes, in most birds are covered with feathers of a special structure, the so-called. ear coverings. They protect the ear canal from the ingress of foreign objects, while at the same time not interfering with the propagation of sound waves.
The wings of birds are long or short, rounded
or sharp. In some species they are very narrow, while in others they are wide. They can also be concave or flat. As a rule, long narrow wings serve as an adaptation for long-range flights over the sea. Long, wide and rounded wings are well adapted for soaring in ascending currents of air heated near the ground. Short, rounded and concave wings are most convenient for slow flight over fields and among forests, as well as for rapid rise into the air, for example, in a moment of danger. Pointed flat wings contribute to rapid flapping and rapid flight. The tail, as a morphological section, consists of tail feathers, which form its rear edge, and covert feathers, overlapping their bases. The tail feathers are paired, they are located symmetrically on both sides of the tail. The tail is longer than the rest of the body, but sometimes it is practically absent. Its shape, characteristic of different birds, is determined by the relative length of the various tail feathers and the features of their tips. As a result, the tail is rectangular, rounded, pointed, forked, etc.
Legs. In most birds, the feather-free part of the leg (foot) includes the tarsus, toes, and claws. In some species, such as owls, the tarsus and fingers are feathered, in a few others, in particular swifts and hummingbirds, they are covered with soft skin, but usually there is a hard horny cover, which, like all skin, is constantly updated. This cover may be smooth, but more often it consists of scales or small irregularly shaped plates. In pheasants and turkeys, there is a horn spur on the back of the tarsus, and in collared hazel grouse, on the sides of the fingers, there is a fringe of horn spikes, which falls off in spring and grows back in autumn to serve as skis in winter. Most birds have 4 toes on their feet. Fingers are arranged differently depending on the habits of the species and their environment. For grasping branches, climbing, catching prey, carrying and manipulating food, they are equipped with sharply curved sharp claws. In running and burrowing species, the fingers are thick, and the claws on them are strong, but rather blunt. Waterfowl have webbed fingers, like ducks, or leathery lobes on the sides, like grebes. In larks and some other song species of open spaces, the back toe is armed with a very long claw.

Other signs. In some birds, the head and neck are bare or covered with very sparse feathers. The skin here is usually brightly colored and forms outgrowths, for example, a crest on the crown of the head and earrings on the throat. Often, well-marked bumps are located at the base of the upper jaw. Typically, these features are used for demos or simpler communication signals. In carrion-eating vultures, the bare head and neck are probably an adaptation that allows them to feed on rotting carcasses without soiling feathers on areas of the body that are very inconvenient to clean.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
When birds acquired the ability to fly, their internal structure changed greatly compared to the ancestral reptiles. To reduce the weight of the animal, some organs became more compact, others were lost, and the scales were replaced by feathers. Heavier, vital structures have been moved closer to the center of the body in order to improve its balance. In addition, the efficiency, speed and control of all physiological processes have increased, which provided the power required for flight.

Skeleton birds are characterized by remarkable lightness and rigidity. Its relief was achieved due to the reduction of a number of elements, especially in the limbs, and the appearance of air cavities inside certain bones. Rigidity is provided by the fusion of many structures. For convenience of description, the axial skeleton and the skeleton of the limbs are distinguished. The first includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. The second is formed by arcuate shoulder and pelvic girdle and the bones of the free limbs attached to them - the anterior and posterior.

Scull. The skull of birds is characterized by huge eye sockets corresponding to the very large eyes of these animals. The brain box is adjacent to the eye sockets from behind and is, as it were, squeezed by them. Strongly protruding bones form toothless upper and lower jaws, corresponding to the upper and lower beaks. The ear opening is located under the lower edge of the orbit, almost close to it. Unlike the human upper jaw, in birds it is mobile due to a special articulation to the brain box. The spine, or vertebral column, is made up of many small bones called vertebrae that run in a row from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail. V cervical region they are isolated, mobile, and at least twice as numerous as in humans and most mammals. As a result, the bird can bend its neck and turn its head in almost any direction. V thoracic region the vertebrae are articulated with the ribs and, as a rule, are firmly fused together, and in the pelvic region are fused into a single long bone - a complex sacrum. Thus, birds are characterized by an unusually rigid back. The remaining vertebrae - the caudal - are mobile, with the exception of the last few, which are fused into a single bone, the pygostyle. It resembles a plowshare in shape and serves as a skeletal support for long tail feathers.
Rib cage. The ribs, together with the thoracic vertebrae and the sternum, surround and protect the outside of the heart and lungs. In all flying birds, the sternum is very wide, growing into a keel for attaching the main flying muscles. As a rule, the larger it is, the stronger the flight. Completely flightless birds have no keel. The shoulder girdle, which connects the forelimb (wing) with the axial skeleton, is formed on each side by three bones arranged like a tripod. One of its legs, the coracoid (crow bone), rests against the sternum, the second, the shoulder blade, lies on the ribs, and the third, the clavicle, is fused with the opposite clavicle in the so-called. fork. The coracoid and the scapula at the meeting point form an articular cavity in which the head of the humerus rotates.
Wings. The bones of a bird's wing are basically the same as those in a human hand. Brachial bone, the only one in the upper limb, in the elbow joint is articulated with two bones of the forearm - the radius and the ulna. Below, i.e. in the hand, many elements that are present in humans are fused or lost in birds, so that only two carpal bones remain, one large metacarpal bone, or buckle, and 4 phalangeal bones corresponding to three fingers. The wing of a bird is substantially lighter than the forelimb of any terrestrial vertebrate of similar size. And the point is not only that the hand includes fewer elements - the long bones of the shoulder and forearm are hollow, and in the shoulder there is a special air bag related to the respiratory system. The wing is further facilitated by the absence of large muscles in it. Instead, his main movements are controlled by the tendons of the strongly developed musculature of the sternum. Flying feathers extending from the hand are called large (primary) fly feathers, and those attached in the zone of the ulna of the forearm are called small (secondary) fly feathers. In addition, three more wing feathers are distinguished, attached to the first finger, and covering feathers, smoothly, like a tile, overlapping the bases of the fly feathers. The pelvic girdle on each side of the body consists of three bones fused together - ischium, pubic and ilium, the latter fused with a complex sacrum. All this together protects the outside of the kidney and provides a strong connection of the legs with the axial skeleton. Where the three bones of the pelvic girdle meet each other is the deep acetabulum, in which the head of the femur rotates.
Legs. In birds, as in humans, the femur forms the core of the upper part of the lower limb, the thigh. The lower leg is attached to this bone in the knee joint. If in humans it consists of two long bones, the tibia and tibia, in birds they fuse with each other and with one or more upper tarsal bones into an element called tibiotarsus. Only a thin short rudiment adjacent to the tibiotarsus remains visible from the fibula.
Foot. In the ankle (more precisely, intratarsal) joint, a foot is attached to the tibiotarsus, consisting of one long bone, a tarsus, and bones of the fingers. The tarsus is formed by elements of the metatarsus, fused with each other and with several lower tarsal bones. Most birds have 4 fingers, each of which ends in a claw and is attached to the tarsus. The first finger is turned back. In most cases, the rest are directed forward. In some species, the second or fourth toe points back along with the first. In swifts, the first finger is directed forward, like the rest, and in the osprey, it is able to turn in both directions. In birds, the tarsus does not rest on the ground, and they walk on their toes with their heel torn off the ground.
Muscles. Wings, legs and the rest of the body are driven by about 175 different skeletal striated muscles. They are also called arbitrary, i.e. their contractions can be controlled "consciously" - by the brain. In most cases, they are paired, symmetrically located on both sides of the body. Flight is provided mainly by two large muscles, the pectoral and supracoracoid. Both of them start at the sternum. The pectoral muscle, the largest, pulls the wing down and thus in the air causes the bird to move forward and upward. The supracoracoid muscle pulls the wing up, preparing it for the next stroke. In domestic chicken and turkey, these two muscles are "white meat" and the rest correspond to "dark meat." In addition to skeletal muscles, birds have smooth, layered in the walls of the organs of the respiratory, vascular, digestive and genitourinary systems. Smooth muscles are also found in the skin, where they determine the movement of feathers, and in the eyes, where they provide accommodation, i.e. focusing the image on the retina. They are called involuntary, as they work without "volitional control" from the brain.
Nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, which, in turn, are formed by many nerve cells (neurons). The most noticeable part of the brain of birds is the cerebral hemispheres, which are the center of higher nervous activity. Their surface is smooth, without furrows and convolutions, characteristic of many mammals, its area is relatively small, which correlates well with the relatively low level of "intelligence" of birds. Inside the cerebral hemispheres there are centers for the coordination of instinctive forms of activity, including feeding and singing. The cerebellum, which is of particular interest in birds, is located directly behind the cerebral hemispheres and is covered with furrows and convolutions. Its complex structure and large size correspond to the difficult tasks associated with maintaining balance in the air and coordinating the many movements necessary for flight.
The cardiovascular system. The heart of birds is larger than that of mammals with a similar body size, moreover smaller view, the relatively larger his heart. For example, in a hummingbird, its mass is up to 2.75% of the mass of the whole organism. In all birds that fly frequently, the heart must be large in order to ensure rapid blood circulation. The same can be said about species living in cold regions or at high altitudes. Like mammals, birds have a four-chambered heart. The frequency of contractions correlates with its size. So, in a resting African ostrich, the heart makes approx. 70 "beats" per minute, and for a hummingbird in flight - up to 615. Extreme fright can raise blood pressure in birds so much that large arteries burst and the individual dies. Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded, and the range of normal body temperatures is higher than that of humans - from 37.7 to 43.5 ° C. The blood of birds usually contains more red blood cells than most mammals, and as a result, per unit time can carry more oxygen, which is necessary for flight.
Respiratory system. In most birds, the nostrils lead into the nasal cavities at the base of the beak. However, cormorants, gannets, and some other species do not have nostrils and must breathe through their mouths. Air, once in the nostrils or mouth, is directed to the larynx, from which the trachea begins. In birds (unlike mammals), the larynx does not produce sounds, but forms only a valve apparatus that protects the lower respiratory tract from food and water entering them. Near the lungs, the trachea divides into two bronchi, one for each. At the point of its division is the lower larynx, which serves as a vocal apparatus. It is formed by expanded ossified rings of the trachea and bronchi and internal membranes. Pairs of special singing muscles are attached to them. When air exhaled from the lungs passes through the lower larynx, it causes the membranes to vibrate, producing sounds. In birds with a wide range of emitted tones, there are more singing muscles that strain the vocal membranes than in poorly singing species. Upon entering the lungs, each bronchus divides into thin tubes. Their walls are permeated with blood capillaries that receive oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide into it. The tubules lead into thin-walled air sacs that resemble soap bubbles and are not penetrated by capillaries. These sacs are located outside the lungs - in the neck, shoulders and pelvis, around the lower larynx and digestive organs, and also penetrate into the large bones of the limbs. The inhaled air moves through the tubes and enters the air sacs. When you exhale, it goes out of the bags again through the tubes through the lungs, where gas exchange again takes place. This double breathing increases the supply of oxygen to the body, which is necessary for flight. Air sacs perform other functions as well. They humidify the air and regulate body temperature by allowing surrounding tissues to lose heat through radiation and evaporation. Thus, the birds seem to sweat from the inside, which compensates for their lack of sweat glands. At the same time, air sacs ensure the removal of excess fluid from the body. The digestive system, in principle, is a hollow tube extending from the beak to the opening of the cloaca. It takes in food, secretes juice with enzymes that break down food, absorbs the formed substances and removes undigested residues. Although the structure of the digestive system and its functions are basically the same for all birds, there are differences in details associated with specific feeding habits and the diet of a particular group of birds. The process of digestion begins when food enters the mouth. Most birds have salivary glands that secrete saliva, which wets the food and begins its digestion. The salivary glands of some swifts secrete a sticky fluid that is used to build nests. The shape and function of the tongue, like the beak, depend on the lifestyle of the bird. The tongue can be used to hold food, manipulate it in the mouth, feel it, and taste it. Woodpeckers and hummingbirds can protrude their unusually long tongue far beyond the beak. In some woodpeckers, it has serrations at the end that point backwards, which help to pull insects and their larvae out of holes in the bark. In hummingbirds, the tongue is usually forked at the end and folded into a tube for sucking nectar from flowers. Food passes from the mouth into the esophagus. In turkeys, grouse, pheasants, pigeons and some other birds, a part of it, called the goiter, is constantly expanded and serves to accumulate food. In many birds, the entire esophagus is sufficiently distensible to temporarily accommodate a significant amount of food before it enters the stomach. The latter is divided into two parts - glandular and muscular ("navel"). The first secretes gastric juice, which begins to break down food into substances suitable for absorption. The "navel" is distinguished by thick walls with hard internal ridges that grind food obtained from the glandular stomach, which compensates for the lack of teeth in birds. In species that eat seeds and other solid food, the muscular walls of this section are especially thick. In many birds of prey in the muscular stomach, indigestible parts of the food, in particular bones, feathers, hair and hard parts of insects, form flat, round pellets that periodically burp. Behind the stomach, the digestive tract continues with the small intestine, where food is finally digested. The large intestine in birds is a short straight tube leading to the cloaca, where the ducts of the genitourinary system also open. Thus, fecal matter, urine, eggs and sperm enter it. All these products leave the body through a single opening.
Urogenital system. This complex consists of closely related excretory and reproductive systems. The first operates continuously, and the second is activated at certain times of the year. The excretory system includes two kidneys that remove waste products from the blood and form urine. Birds don't have Bladder, and it passes through the ureters directly into the cloaca, where most of the water is absorbed back into the body. The white, mushy residue is eventually thrown out along with dark-colored feces that have come from the large intestine. The reproductive system consists of gonads, or gonads, and tubes extending from them. Male gonads are a pair of testicles in which male sex cells (gametes) are formed - spermatozoa. The shape of the testicles is oval or elliptical, and the left one is usually larger. They lie in the body cavity near the anterior end of each kidney. Before the onset of the breeding season, the stimulating action of pituitary hormones causes the testes to increase hundreds of times. Through a thin convoluted tube, the vas deferens, spermatozoa enter the seminal vesicle from each testis. There they accumulate until the ejaculation that occurs at the time of copulation, at which they go into the cloaca and through its opening - out. Female gonads, ovaries, form female gametes - eggs. Most birds have only one ovary, the left one. Compared to a microscopic sperm, an egg is huge. Its main part by weight is the yolk - a nutrient material for the embryo developing after fertilization. From the ovary, the egg enters a tube called the oviduct. The muscles of the oviduct push it past the various glandular areas in its walls. They surround the yolk with albumen, shell membranes, hard, calcium-containing shells, and finally, they add shell-coloring pigments. It takes approx. 24 hours. Fertilization in birds is internal. Spermatozoa enter the cloaca of the female during copulation and float up the oviduct. Fertilization, i.e. the fusion of male and female gametes occurs at its upper end before the egg is covered with protein, soft membranes and shells.
FEATHERS
Feathers protect the skin of a bird, provide thermal insulation of its body, since they keep a layer of air near it, streamline its shape and increase the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bearing surfaces - wings and tail. Nearly all birds appear to be fully feathered; only the beak and feet look partially or completely naked. However, the study of any species capable of flight reveals that feathers grow from rows of recesses - feather bags grouped in wide stripes, pterylia, which are separated by bare skin areas, apteria. The latter are imperceptible, since they are covered with feathers from adjacent pterylae overlying them. Only in a few birds do feathers grow evenly throughout the body; usually flightless species such as penguins.
Pen structure. The primary wing feather is the most complicated. It consists of an elastic central rod, to which two wide flat fans are attached. Internal, i.e. facing the center of the bird, the fan is wider than the outer one. The lower part of the rod, the core, is partially immersed in the skin. The core is hollow and free of fans attached to the upper part of the rod - the trunk. It is filled with a cellular core and bears a longitudinal groove on the underside. Each fan is formed by a number of parallel grooves of the first order with branches, the so-called. grooves of the second order. On the latter there are hooks that are hooked on adjacent grooves of the second order, connecting all the elements of the fan into a single whole - according to the mechanism of zippers. If the grooves of the second order have disengaged, it is enough for the bird to smooth the feather with its beak in order to “fasten” it again.

Feather types. Almost all well-marked feathers are arranged as described above. Since it is they who give the body of the bird the external shape, they are called contour. In some species, such as grouse and pheasant, a small side feather similar in structure departs from the lower part of their shaft. It is very fluffy and improves thermal insulation. In addition to the contour ones, on the body of birds there are feathers that are different in structure. The most common down, consisting of a short rod and long flexible beards that do not interlock with each other. It protects the body of chickens, and in adult birds is hidden under the contour feathers and improves thermal insulation. Down feathers are also located there, serving the same purpose as down. They have a long shaft, but unlinked barbs, i.e. in structure, they occupy an intermediate position between contour feathers and down. Scattered among the contour feathers and usually hidden by them are thread-like feathers, clearly visible on a plucked chicken. They consist of a thin rod with a small vestigial fan on top. Filamentous feathers depart at the bases of the contour and perceive vibrations. It is believed that these are sensors of external forces that are involved in the stimulation of the muscles that control large feathers. The bristles are very similar to filamentous feathers, but stiffer. They stick out in many birds near the corners of the mouth and probably serve for touch, like the vibrissae of mammals. The most unusual feathers are the so-called. powder down, located in special zones - powders - under the main plumage of herons and bitterns or scattered over the body of pigeons, parrots and many other species. These feathers grow continuously and crumble at the top into a fine powder. It is water-repellent and probably, together with the secretion of the oil gland, protects the contour feathers from wetting. The shape of contour feathers is very diverse. For example, the flight feathers of owls have fluffed edges, which makes the flight almost silent and allows you to quietly approach the prey. The bright and unusually long feathers of birds of paradise in New Guinea serve as "decoration" for demonstrations.

On the land. Birds presumably evolved from arboreal reptiles. They probably inherited from them the habit of jumping from branch to branch, characteristic of most birds. At the same time, some birds, such as woodpeckers and pikas, acquired the ability to climb vertical tree trunks using their tail as a support. Descending in the course of evolution from trees to the ground, many species gradually learned to walk and run. However, development in this direction proceeded differently in different species. For example, the wandering thrush can both jump and walk, while the starling normally only walks. The African ostrich runs at speeds up to 64 km/h. On the other hand, swifts are unable to jump or run, and use their weak legs only to cling to vertical surfaces. Birds walking in shallow water, such as herons and stilts, are characterized by long legs. Birds that walk on carpets of floating leaves and bogs are characterized by long fingers and claws so as not to fall through. Penguins have short and thick legs located far behind the center of gravity. For this reason, they can only walk with their bodies upright, in short steps. If it is necessary to move faster, they lie on their belly and glide like on a sleigh, pushing off the snow with flipper wings and legs.
In water. Birds are originally land creatures and always nest on land or in rare cases on rafts. However, many of them have adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. They swim by alternating strokes with their feet, usually equipped with membranes or paddles on the fingers, acting like oars. The wide body provides waterfowl with stability, and their dense feather cover contains air that increases buoyancy. The ability to swim, as a rule, is necessary for birds that forage under water. Swans, geese and some ducks practice partial diving in shallow waters: turning their tail up and stretching their neck down, they get food from the bottom. Gannets, pelicans, terns and other fish-eating species dive into the water from summer, and the height of the fall depends on the size of the bird and the depth that they seek to reach. So, heavy gannets, falling like a stone from a height of 30 m, are immersed in water by 3-3.6 m. Light-bodied terns dive from a lower height and plunge only a few centimeters. Penguins, loons, grebes, diving ducks and many other birds dive from the surface of the water. Lacking the momentum of dive divers, they use the movements of their legs and/or wings to dive. In such species, the legs are usually located at the rear end of the body, like a propeller under the stern of a ship. When diving, they can reduce buoyancy by pressing the feathers tightly and squeezing the air sacs. Probably, for most birds, the maximum diving depth from the surface of the water is close to 6 m. However, the dark-billed polar loon can dive to 18 m, and the long-tailed duck can dive to about 60 m.
SENSORS
In order to see well enough during a fast flight, birds have better eyesight than all other animals. They also have a well-developed hearing, but the sense of smell and taste in most species are weak.
Vision. The eyes of birds have a number of structural and functional features that correlate with their lifestyle. Especially noticeable is their large size, which provides a wide field of view. In some birds of prey they are much larger than in humans, and in the African ostrich they are larger than in an elephant. Eye accommodation, i.e. their adaptation to a clear vision of objects when the distance to them changes, in birds occurs with amazing speed. The hawk, chasing the prey, continuously keeps it in focus until the very moment of capture. A bird flying through the forest must clearly see the branches of the surrounding trees so as not to collide with them. There are two unique structures present in the bird's eye. One of them is the scallop, a fold of tissue that protrudes into the inner chamber of the eye from the side of the optic nerve. It is possible that this structure helps to detect movement by casting a shadow on the retina when the bird moves its head. Another feature is the bony scleral ring, i.e. a layer of small lamellar bones in the wall of the eye. In some species, especially diurnal raptors and owls, the scleral ring is so strongly developed that it gives the eye the shape of a tube. This moves the lens away from the retina, and as a result, the bird is able to distinguish prey at a great distance. In most birds, the eyes are tightly fixed in the sockets and cannot move in them. However, this disadvantage is compensated by the extreme mobility of the neck, which allows you to turn your head in almost any direction. In addition, the bird has a very wide overall field of vision as the eyes are located on the sides of the head. This type of vision, in which any object at a time is visible only with one eye, is called monocular. The total field of monocular vision is up to 340°. Binocular vision, in which both eyes are turned forward, is peculiar only to owls. Their total field is limited to about 70°. There are transitions between monocularity and binocularity. The woodcock's eyes are so far back that they perceive the rear half of the field of vision no worse than the front. This allows him to keep an eye on what is happening above his head, probing the ground with his beak in search of earthworms.
Hearing. Like mammals, the organ of hearing in birds includes three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. However, there is no auricle. The "ears" or "horns" of some owls are simply tufts of elongated feathers that have nothing to do with hearing. In most birds, the outer ear is a short passage. In some species, such as vultures, the head is naked, and its opening is clearly visible. However, as a rule, it is covered with special feathers - ear coverings. In owls, which, when hunting at night, are guided mainly by hearing, the ear openings are very large, and the feathers covering them form a wide facial disk. The external auditory meatus leads to the tympanic membrane. Its vibrations, caused by sound waves, are transmitted through the middle ear (an air-filled bone chamber) to the inner ear. There, mechanical vibrations are converted into nerve impulses that are sent along the auditory nerve to the brain. The inner ear also includes three semicircular canals, the receptors of which ensure the balance of the body. Although birds hear sounds in a fairly wide frequency range, they are especially sensitive to the acoustic signals of their own species. As experiments have shown, various species perceive frequencies from 40 Hz (budgie) to 29,000 Hz (finch), but usually the upper limit of hearing does not exceed 20,000 Hz in birds. Several species of birds nesting in dark caves avoid hitting obstacles there thanks to echolocation. This ability, also known in bats, is observed, for example, in guajaros from Trinidad and northern South America. Flying in absolute darkness, he emits "bursts" of high-pitched sounds and, perceiving their reflection from the walls of the cave, easily orients himself in it.
Smell and taste. In general, the sense of smell in birds is very poorly developed. This correlates with the small size of their olfactory lobes and the short nasal cavities located between the nostrils and the oral cavity. The exception is the New Zealand kiwi bird, in which the nostrils are at the end of a long beak and the nasal cavities are elongated as a result. These features allow her to stick her beak into the soil, sniff out earthworms and other underground food. It is also believed that vultures find carrion with the help of not only sight, but also smell. The taste is poorly developed, because the lining of the oral cavity and the integument of the tongue are mostly horny and there is little space for taste buds on them. However, hummingbirds clearly prefer nectar and other sweet liquids, and most species reject highly acidic or bitter foods. However, these animals swallow food without chewing, i.e. seldom hold it in the mouth long enough to subtly distinguish the taste.
BIRD PROTECTION
Many countries have laws and participate in international agreements for the protection of migratory birds. For example, US federal law, as well as US treaties with Canada and Mexico, provide for the protection of all such species in North America, with the exception of diurnal predators and introduced species, regulate the hunting of migratory game (for example, waterfowl and woodcock), as well as certain resident birds, in particular black grouse, pheasants and partridges. However, a more serious threat to birds does not come from hunters, but from quite "peaceful" types of human activity. Skyscrapers, TV towers and other tall buildings are deadly obstacles for migratory birds. Birds are knocked down and crushed by cars. Oil spills in the sea kill many aquatic birds. By their way of life and influence on environment modern man has created advantages for species that prefer anthropogenic habitats - gardens, fields, front gardens, parks, etc. That is why North American birds such as the wandering thrush, blue jay, house wren, cardinals, song zonotrichia, troupials, and most swallows are now more numerous in the United States than before the arrival of European settlers in these places. However, many species that depend on swamps or mature forests are threatened by the destruction of a large number of such habitats. Swamps, which many consider suitable only for drainage, are in fact vital for shepherds, bitterns, marsh wren and many other birds. If the swamps disappear, the same fate befalls their inhabitants. Similarly, deforestation means the complete destruction of certain species of grouse, hawks, woodpeckers, thrushes and warblers, which require large trees and natural forest floor. An equally serious threat is posed by environmental pollution. Natural pollutants are substances that are constantly present in nature, such as phosphates and waste products, but normally maintain a constant (equilibrium) level to which birds and other organisms are adapted. If a person greatly increases the concentration of substances, violating the ecological balance, pollution of the environment occurs. For example, if sewage is drained into a lake, its rapid decomposition will deplete the oxygen dissolved in the water. The crustaceans, mollusks and fish that need it will disappear, and with them the loons, grebes, herons and other birds that will be left without food will disappear. Man-made pollutants are chemicals that are virtually non-existent in virgin nature, such as industrial fumes, exhaust fumes, and most pesticides. Almost no species, including birds, is adapted to them. If a pesticide is sprayed over a swamp to kill mosquitoes, or over crops to control crop pests, it will kill not only the target species, but many other organisms as well. Worse than that, some pesticides remain in water or soil for years, are included in the food chain, and then accumulate in the body of large birds of prey, which are the top of many of these chains. Although small doses of pesticides do not directly kill birds, their eggs can become infertile or develop abnormally thin shells that break easily during incubation. As a result, the population will soon begin to decline. For example, the bald eagle and the brown pelican were at such risk because of the insecticide DDT consumed along with fish, their main food. Now, thanks to conservation measures, the number of these birds is recovering. It is hardly possible to stop the advance of man on the world of birds; the only hope is to slow it down. One measure could be stricter liability for the destruction of natural habitats and environmental pollution. Another measure is to increase the area of ​​protected areas in order to preserve natural communities which include endangered species.
CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS
Birds make up the class Aves of the Chordata type, which includes all vertebrates. The class is subdivided into orders, and those, in turn, into families. The names of the orders have the ending "-iformes", the names of the families - "-idae". This list includes all modern orders and families of birds, as well as fossil and relatively recently extinct groups. The number of species is indicated in parentheses. Archaeopterygiformes: Archeopteryxiformes (fossils) Hesperornithiformes: Hesperornithiformes (fossils) Ichthyornithiformes: Ichthyornithiformes (fossils) Sphenisciformes: Penguiniformes

Our planet is inhabited by millions of different birds. All of them are beautiful, unique and useful in their own way and live on all the territory of our earth. Of course, it will not be possible to fit information about each type of winged birds into one article. But we will try to learn about all the most common and interesting representatives of this group.

Most beautiful

Each bird is beautiful in its own way, but there are those who, undoubtedly, are the standards of grace. , beauty and brightness.

The most dangerous

Strong wings, dexterity, powerful paws, long claws, impeccable hearing and vision - nature has awarded birds of prey with all this. List of bird names, which are the most dangerous and fight for their existence in every possible way, and also hunt no worse than large predatory animals, is as follows:

Everybody knows, that such birds exist that cannot take to the air. Fortunately, this does not in the least prevent them from leading a comfortable lifestyle, and we can admire these creatures. There are several reasons why some birds cannot fly like all other birds. The first reason lies in the too small bones and lack of a keel, and the second is that the mass of some birds is too large for flying.

The well-known bird ostrich can not fly, but is an excellent runner due to its well-developed muscles and long legs. It should be noted that this is the largest flightless bird on earth. The wings of an ostrich are arranged quite primitively, and also have a loose structure. Though the wingspan and can reach several meters, this is not enough to lift a body into the air, the mass of which varies from seventy to one hundred and fifty kilograms.

Emu outwardly similar to the ostriches described above, however, much smaller. Their weight can reach only fifty-five kilograms, and the height of the bird is about two meters. Emu are quite good runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to fifty kilometers per hour. Why can't they fly? The fact is that the wings of this bird are very small and poorly developed. An interesting feature is the presence of small claws at the end of each wing. Despite the inability to hide from predators in the air, emus perfectly protect themselves from many dangers with the help of strong legs and sharp claws.

Cassowaries are also quite large and their mass can reach sixty kilograms. A distinctive feature of them is the bright color of the head and neck, which give the bird a rather unusual and at the same time attractive appearance. The territories in which they live are in New Guinea and on some Australian islands. They take the second place in size, giving the first to ostriches.

Total cassowaries non-aggressive and try to stay away from people and settlements, however, if you approach them too close, the birds will actively defend themselves, and their offender will not be greeted, because without making special efforts, the cassowary can kill the attacker using its claw - dagger on the leg. Fortunately, collisions between a person and this large bird do not happen so often.

External component rhea birds makes them look like ostriches, however, there are also significant differences in their form. The head is more round in shape, and the feathers are much more beautiful than those of the ostrich, and in some individuals they are painted white. Nandu can boast not only powerful legs, thanks to which they reach speeds of up to sixty kilometers per hour, but also their ability to swim across fairly large bodies of water.

Kiwi indeed a unique bird. She is very small, with a long beak, ruffled plumage and a funny manner of movement. This species cannot boast of sharp eyesight, however, their hearing and sense of smell are at their best.

The smallest

The variety of representatives of birds is really amazing. They can be as huge as ostriches, weighing one hundred and fifty kilograms, or quite tiny, weighing a few grams.

"ZACHOTS".
That is, birds, but hunting for which is permissible from the point of view of the accepted etiquette of crowhunting and its usefulness for wildlife, including for other birds. Some of them are also edible trophies.

CROW GRAY. The main and everyone's favorite zachOt.

CROW BLACK.
Looks like a crow! So let's be careful and careful.
She is all black with a metallic blue and purple sheen.
The black crow differs from the rook in its BLACK beak and its greater massiveness; from a raven - in size: they are similar to the size of a gray crow, as well as a silhouette in flight - the raven's wings are straighter.

ROOK.
Note: the rook's oddity, so to speak, is "floating". He is not as smart as crows, and not as harmful. However, this is where. Rooks, for example, greatly harm trees, breaking off their branches during the construction of nests, and it is almost impossible to survive them from their usual habitat. In Germany, rooks are eaten.

MAGPIE. The bird is considered zachotom - it is quite smart and careful. In addition, a pest, a predator, destroys nests. But there are nuances - according to observations, abandoned magpie nests are often occupied by other birds.

Blue Dove. We can say - "city pigeon". In the photo - a typical representative of the color.

DAW. The bird is much smaller than a crow - about the size of a young dove. Its charm is very relative: it does not represent much value for a crowhunter, since it is not very careful and is quite harmless.

Common in rooks, magpies, jackdaws and crows.

(I will add a clarification: under the picture there is an inscription - "A crow steals an egg from a song thrush", but the figure, apparently erroneously, depicts a fieldfare thrush).

OTHER "WANTS" and "WANTS" ARE RELATIVE.

Thrush fieldfare (grey thrush, mistletoe).
This bird breeds in large numbers, surrounds gardens and vegetable gardens, devouring cherries, shadberries, mountain ash, chokeberry, even raspberries and currants, strawberries and wild strawberries like locusts. In addition, the blackbird is not just edible, but very tasty. According to the classic hunter S. T. Aksakov, this is one of the few birds that, along with the snipe, has the honor of cooking ungutted.

BLACK THRUSH is another type of thrush.
Note. Formally, this is also a "zachot" - since the diet and culinary advantages of the blackbird are similar to the 1st species. But this is a songbird and, for example, in the Moscow region is very small.

JAY.
In some regions, they are no less than gray crows. The gardens are surrounded - the harm and the diet in this sense are purely blackbirds. But besides that, jays, for example, often carry chickens. At the same time, these birds are fearless to the point of stupidity, they are almost not afraid of the hunter. Positive factors - the jay promotes the reproduction of trees, arranging pantries of acorns and nuts. Edible, the meat is harsh, inferior in culinary qualities to blackbird, but you can find competent cooking recipes on the Web.

STARLING.
This is a songbird. However, the harm from it to a person is often no less than from a thrush: according to many, it surrounds gardens. Apparently, with the starling you need to act "according to the circumstances."

Young starling.

OAKONOS.
Carries the gardens. In the sense of hunting for him - apparently, it is permissible, if this is a serious concern ...

ATTENTION! "LOW"!!!

CROW.
Hellish LOW. This bird is listed in the Red Book. Therefore, we will be especially careful with her. Do not confuse a crow with a sulfur crow (see above). General - only, so to speak, a silhouette. The raven is much larger than both her and the BLACK crow (see photo above) and is all black, up to the beak: this also differs from the ROOK (see). Also, the raven has a characteristic voice, not like the sharp and hoarse croak of crows: it is quieter, the intonation is much softer, reminiscent of the sounds "Krrru, krrru" or "Krrro, krrro".

WHITE STORK.
White bird with black wingtips, long neck, long thin red beak and long reddish legs. When the wings of a stork are folded, it seems that the whole rear part the body of the stork is black. In color, females are indistinguishable from males, but somewhat smaller. The height of the white stork is 100-125 cm, the wingspan is 155-200 cm. The mass of an adult bird reaches 4 kg. The average lifespan of a white stork is 20 years.

The usefulness of the bird is expressed in the fact that its diet includes such pests as: locusts, bears, cockchafers, some small vertebrates (including mice and rats).

CRANE.
Attention: the bird is listed in the Red Book!
These are large, long-legged and long-necked birds, their height is 90-155 cm, the wingspan is 150-240 cm, and their weight is 2-11 kg.
Unlike herons similar to them, they stretch their legs and neck in flight. This makes them look like storks, but unlike them, cranes never perch on trees. The head is small, with a sharp straight beak. The tertiary flight feathers of the wings are slightly elongated, so that the tail appears long and bushy when the bird is on the ground. The plumage is usually gray or white.
Cranes live long enough. Observations show that in the wild, cranes live for at least 20 years, and in captivity, their age reaches up to 80 years.

HERON
They live in shallow water, on swampy or slowly flowing reservoirs. Large birds 90-100 cm long, with a wingspan of 175-195 cm, adults weighing up to 2 kg. As a rule, they are long-legged, with a long and narrow, laterally flattened beak. They stand motionless in the water and peer into the water, looking for prey. A close relative of the heron is the stork.

Woodpeckers. All - NIZACHOTY: useful birds, healers of the forest. Many in the RED BOOK!

Large spotted woodpecker.

Small spotted woodpecker.

The woodpecker is average.

The woodpecker is grey.

Woodpecker black (or yellow).

The woodpecker is green.

Nightjar big.

Nightjar small.

Owl nightjar.

HOOPOE. Terry bottom.

GOLDFINCH.

SWALLOWS AND SWIFTS.

L A S T O C H K I.

S T R I G I

"The swift is a sickle reaping the harvest on the blue field of the sky. The sickle-shaped form is given to it by long sharp wings, which, when folded, protrude far beyond the relatively short tail with a fork-shaped neckline. With this shape and dense physique, the swift easily differs from the swallow, with which it is usually confused In fact, swifts and swallows are similar not because they are close relatives, but because, due to a similar lifestyle, independently of each other, they acquired a similar external structure. ((C), E.J. Shukurov)

Swift small.

Swift is white-belted (or white-lumped).

Martlet.

Swift is needle-tailed.

GENERAL: swallows and swifts.

CUCKOO. It is not so easy with her in the sense of "lowness". S. T. Aksakov, for example, mentions that the cuckoo is edible and thus represents a trophy, although not very desirable. But... Do we need it?

SMALL LITTLE.
WARNING: these are the same birds that the average crawler, according to him, protects from garbage predators like gray crows.

NIGHTINGALE.

LARK.

SVIRISTEL.

ZARYANKA

ORIOLE.

BULLFINCH.

The tit is big.

Grenadier.

Blue tit.

Moscow.

Gaitka brown-headed (or powdery).

Grey-headed chickadee.

Black-capped chickadee.

FIELD SPARROW (aka red-headed or rustic).
It differs from the house sparrow in its brown crown, black spots on its white cheeks, and two light stripes on the wing. "Catches a lot of harmful insects, but in the fall, flocks of sparrows can cause quite significant damage to orchards and vineyards." (C)

HOUSE SPARROW.
Male.

WAGTAIL. There are a lot of these birds, like sparrows. But to shoot - bullets are a pity and karma ... They are completely harmless. In addition, according to statistics for season 1, the wagtail family destroys several kg. harmful caterpillars and beetles. Perhaps, in this regard, it can be attributed to the "nizachota".

CHAMPION.

HUNTING GAME.
Hunting for it is allowed and permissible - but with the help of permitted methods of extraction and in a certain season of the year.

Waterfowl.

FOREST, SWAMP, MEADOW, FIELD GAME.

LANDRAIL.

ROOTHER.

(LIST OF COURSE WILL BE REPLENISHED)

VYAKHIR (or VITYUTIN) - wood pigeon. We compare with the usual city "rull" (photo above).

The dove is ringed.

The dove is large.

The dove is small.

PARTRIDGE.

GROUSE.

WOODSCHOCK (FOOD PICKER).

GARSHNEP.

DUPELSHNEP
(It’s completely bad in search engines with pictures ... Looks like they knocked everyone out)

CURLEW

lapwing (THIS IS NOT A KULIK ALREADY)

Our planet is inhabited by so many birds, the name of which sometimes we have not even heard. They are found everywhere: in forests, mountains, steppes, on the coasts of the seas and even in the cold tundra. The diversity of this group of the animal world is so great that, for example, only in the territory Russian Federation you can meet representatives of more than 400 varieties, among which are not only sedentary, but also migratory birds, photos with names of which are easy to find in atlases.

Order of passeriformes

Interestingly, more than 50% of all bird species belong to the order of passeriformes, with the smallest being the kinglet (6 g), and the largest being the raven (1.5 kg). In total, there are four subspecies of these birds: songbirds, half-singers, screaming (tyrants) and broad-billed (horn-billed). The habits and coloration of birds, including forest birds, are very diverse, and males sing and look most impressive. They are the first to arrive at the place chosen for nesting, and with their singing they mark the territory and attract females. Some species, such as starlings and jays, are able to copy the voices of different birds and some words of our speech. Distributed everywhere.

Some passerines live in whole flocks during the nesting period, but most form pairs. The place is chosen by the male, and different subspecies prefer for this hollow, tree branches, stones, holes in the ground, rocks, etc. Reproduction occurs in spring or summer, although, for example, the crossbill is not afraid of the cold, and if there is enough food (spruce and pine cones ), it nests even in January.

All passeriformes breed chicks that are born barely covered with light fluff, deaf and blind, but grow very quickly. Both the female and the male feed the young. On the 10-15th day, accompanied by their parents, the babies fly out of the nest; in species nesting in hollows, this happens a little later - on the 20-25th day.

The names of birds that belong to passerines are always well known: sparrow, titmouse, oriole, swallow, starling, wagtail, oatmeal, etc. Of the larger ones, one can distinguish a crow, jay, cardinal,

gardens, meadows and fields

All birds of open spaces are adapted to their habitat in their own way. Some of them move perfectly on the ground, not only in search of food, but also escaping from enemies, practically without using their wings. They have lost the ability to fly, but they have strong legs with short toes, which contribute to fast running and digging. This group of birds includes galliformes (grouse, pheasant, partridge, guinea fowl, crax), ostriches, etc.

Diurnal and nocturnal "flying" predators are characterized by powerful wings and sharp claws, which helps them to hunt well. This group includes falcons, black kites, hawks, owls, meadow and field harriers, etc.

steppe birds

The Russian steppes stretch all the way from the shores of the Azov and Black Seas to the Urals, and it is quite natural that a great many birds live in such open spaces. Steppe and desert birds, the species and names of which we will give below, are forced to be careful. The open space is not too rich in shelters, so sometimes only a quick reaction and flight can save the bird from the enemy.

Since the steppe and desert species move a lot among the grass in search of food, their legs are sufficiently developed for this. In addition to partridges, steppe birds include: demoiselle crane, crowberry, little bustard, gyrfalcon, bustard, etc. They skillfully hide in the grass due to the “camouflage” color of feathers and easily find food on fertile steppe soils. Plants and insects are the main food, but birds of prey, photos with names of which can be found in any manual, hunt snakes, frogs and rodents, of which there are a great many, and also do not neglect carrion. Some species of birds arrange their nests right in the ground, and large predators - on rare trees in these places.

desert birds

There are few birds in the desert because they cannot stand thirst. South in Russia Astrakhan region and the east of Kalmykia belong to the desert zones, which abound in vegetation and moisture only in the spring. Feel comfortable in rather difficult conditions such birds as desert chickens, bustards, warblers, steppe eagles. Pelicans, mute swans, ducks, white herons can nest in the border zones near water bodies.

It is impossible not to mention the largest flightless bird in the world - the African ostrich, whose weight can reach more than 150 kg. Evolution took care of him, giving him a long neck for good review terrain and powerful legs for fast running and hitting the enemy during the fight. Ostriches live in numerous families; they feed on vegetation, insects, lizards, rodents, but they can pick up the remains of a meal of predators. Funny story the fact that ostriches hide their heads in the sand is just a joke, but females hatching chicks literally flatten themselves on the ground at the sight of danger, trying to become invisible. Due to the heat in summer, desert birds are active at night, and in winter - during the day, when it is warm.

forest birds

Forest birds arrange nests in trees and shrubs, as well as in hollows. Woody vegetation serves for them not only as a refuge, but as a place for obtaining food. Therefore, the paws in most species are designed so that they easily wrap around branches. common features are long tails and wide shortened wings, allowing you to quickly take off, slow down and make tricky maneuvers between dense branches. The forest birds include most passerines, woodpeckers, owls, and galliformes.

In birds that climb vertically along the trunks, the claws are bent and sharp. Some names of forest birds of this group characterize this mode of movement (nuthatch). For support and balance, pikas and woodpeckers use their tails, while tits, finches and some other pichuga, when getting food, are able to hang from below the branches. Forest predators hunt in flight, or rapidly falling down on prey.

birds of prey in the forest

Characteristic features of the day and night predators of the forest are a sharp hooked beak and long claws on strong legs. In addition, they have excellent vision and hearing.

Some names of Russian birds related to forest predators: eagle owl, snowy owl, owl, honey buzzard, buzzard, goshawk, etc.

Origin of bird names

The names of the birds are not chosen randomly: almost all of them suggest the presence of some features noticed by people. For example, for the voice and manner of singing, names are given to the cuckoo (ku-ku), chizhu (chi-chi), titmouse (blue-blue), rook (gra-gra), as well as hoopoe, seagull, lapwing and many other birds.

For their characteristic plumage, the birds of the Urals also received names: greenfinch, hazel grouse, redstart (jay), and such birds as flycatcher, honey buzzard and nutcracker suggest their food preferences. The wagtail and the wagtail are easy to distinguish by their behavior, but the nesting location of some birds is literally embedded in their name: the shore swallow digs holes on high banks, and the warbler hides in dense lake vegetation.

The names of birds for children are easy to remember if they resemble the sounds they make, for example, when walking, like a heron. She slowly walks through the swamp mud, as if “sipping”, raising her long legs high, and the village dialect has changed the name of the bird from “chapel” to heron. Or if they are associated, for example, with snow, where did the origin of the name of the bullfinch bird come from.

But the hunters know why the capercaillie got its name: when it flows, it is so carried away that it literally stalls and does not hear the dangerous noise at all. But when it stops, everything turns into attention.

According to the time of residence, the names were given to such birds as the chaffinch and the robin. The little finches fly in and out during the coldest, coldest months, which is why they are called so, although they themselves are quite frost-resistant. And the robin, which often settles in gardens closer to people, greets the morning and evening dawn with sonorous singing.

Bullfinch

Peculiar and Russian origin the name of the bird is the bullfinch, because it flies to our region for the winter, along with snow, and with the onset of spring it flies to dark coniferous forests. The bullfinch is always associated with the new year, so the image of the red-bellied small is decorated with household items, New Year's cards and souvenirs.

Birds are part of the finches family and live in flocks, constantly calling to each other with a whistle. In winter, it is even found in city parks. Breeds with the onset of heat in the alpine and taiga forests of Eurasia, in the Caucasus, in the Carpathians. Feeds on berries, seeds, tree buds.

waterfowl

Waterfowl, photos and names of which are given below, are those birds that are able to stay on the water. They do not include species that only find food in water bodies. Due to their special way of life, they are characterized common features: webbing between the fingers, dense plumage and a secretory oil gland that lubricates the feathers.

The name of waterfowl, or rather orders, is derived from the bright representative: anseriformes, pelicans, divers, gulls, penguins, etc. Food is fish, mollusks, frogs, algae, which they get by diving into the water, like cormorants and dives, or lowering only their heads, like swans and ducks. Seagulls can catch fish right on the fly, plunging only their beak into the water.

Waterfowl of Russia

Waterfowl are widespread throughout the territory of the Russian Federation, the photos and names of most of which are familiar to everyone. Although the majority are migratory: ducks, geese, swans, etc. At the end of summer, active migration of waterfowl to wintering places begins. By the way, some representatives of this group spend most of the year far at sea, returning to the shore only for nesting and hatching (some ducks). Sakhalin, the Kuriles, Kamchatka, Crimea and other places with an abundance of water bodies can rightly be considered a habitat.

Russian waterfowl, whose names are duck and eider, live in Yakutia and on the shores of Lake Chukotka. Along the Volga nest: moorhen, red-nosed pochard, great grebe, gray goose, mute swan, coot.

red birds

In all the variety of birds, red birds stand out, the name of which is very exotic, as well as bright plumage. If our lentils, crossbills and bullfinches are partially painted in this color, then flamingos, tanager, virginian cardinal, fiery velvet weaver, ibis are almost entirely red. Most of these birds live in tropical forests, in the south of America, in Hawaii and other islands, in Australia and Africa. They belong to passerines, weavers, flamingos, storks and other species.

Different types of birds, first of all, differ in body size, beak shape, plumage color and habitat. It is difficult to describe all the features briefly, so we will only touch on a few. Interestingly, the beak of each bird is designed in such a way that it can easily get its own food. As a result of morphological adaptation, there was a division of birds into 14 groups according to the shape of the beak, including: omnivores, fishers, insectivores, water cutters, mowers that feed on coniferous seeds, nectar or fruits, scavengers, predators and others.

As a result of observations, it was noticed that some species of birds have remarkable intelligence and ingenuity. So, gulls and crows, having found a mollusk or a nut, lift it into the air, and then throw it on the ground to break it, repeating this manipulation several times. And green herons, to attract fish, throw bait in the form of a twig or leaf onto the water. Parrots, jays and rooks are amenable to learning human speech, and the woodpecker uses a thin stick to open a crack in the bark of a tree and extract insects from there.

The role of birds in nature and for humans

The importance of birds in nature cannot be underestimated: interacting with each other and animals, they build complex relationships that contribute to natural selection. Birds help seed dispersal, and some species cross-pollinate flowering plants.

Birds of prey keep the balance of growth of rodents. And thanks to insectivorous pichugs that eat caterpillars and larvae, many crops are preserved, including agricultural ones, which is very useful for humans. That is why all kinds of measures are being taken to preserve various species of birds, as well as nature reserves are being created.