Ornithology Review Flashcards

Flashcards of key terms, concepts, and questions from the lecture notes.

From which group of dinosaurs did birds evolve?

Saurischian dinosaurs

What group are NOT classified as dinosaurs?

Pterosaurs

What was the original purpose of feathers?

Thermoregulation, then adapted for flight

What type of skull do birds possess?

Diapsid skull

How many middle-ear bones do birds have?

1 (the stapes)

Who else besides birds, have hollow bones?

Extinct members of Dinosauria

Primary flight feathers attach into what specific bones?

Carpometacarpus

What type of lung do birds have?

Faveolar lung

What are several design features that enable flight in birds?

Lightweight skeleton, feathers, high metabolic rate, strong flight muscles

What features present in modern birds, were also present in Archaeopteryx?

Feathers and a lightweight skeleton

What are Paleognathae?

Flightless birds with a more primitive palate structure (e.g., ostrich, emu)

What are Neognathae?

Birds with a more advanced palate structure (e.g., sparrows, eagles)

Give three examples of social, feeding, or reproductive behavior of Bald Eagles

Territorial, carnivorous, monogamous

Describe breeding behavior in a monogamous species (e.g., Bald Eagle)

Pair bonds for life, both parents care for young

Describe breeding behavior in a polygamous bird species (e.g., Red-winged Blackbird)

Males mate with multiple females, females care for young

Describe the sensory systems in Hawks and Eagles

Excellent vision, can see prey from great distances

Describe the sensory systems in Doves and Quails

Good vision but not as sharp as raptors, rely more on camouflage

Where do Arctic Terns Migrate from/to?

Migrates from Arctic to Antarctic

What is the migration distance of the Arctic Tern?

Approximately 25,000 miles annually

The behavior by which an animal lays claim to and defends an area against others of its species.

Territoriality

What is Ideal Free Distribution?

A theory that predicts how animals will distribute themselves among several patches of resources.

What are badges with respect to social animal hierarchies?

Physical traits that signal an individual's status or rank within a social hierarchy.

What are murmurations?

Large groups of starlings flying together in a coordinated way.

What is synchronous brooding?

When all eggs in a clutch hatch at the same time

What does Siblicide mean?

When one sibling kills another.

What are Abiotic Factors?

Non-living factors that affect population size (e.g., temperature, water)

What is the IUCN Red List?

A comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.

What are Invasive Species?

Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health

What is a Lek?

A communal area where males display and compete for females.

What is a Selfish Herd?

Individuals can reduce their predation risk by moving to the center of a group

What are Information Centers?

Places where animals gather and share information about resources.

Define Fecundity

The reproductive capacity of an individual or population.

What is Optimum Mean Clutch Size?

The clutch size that maximizes reproductive success