Birds Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover the key concepts and terminology related to the anatomy, evolution, characteristics, and reproductive strategies of birds.

Archosaurs

A clade that includes birds and crocodilians, sharing a common ancestor.

Theropods

A clade of bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs that birds evolved from.

Archaeopteryx

The oldest known bird, demonstrating characteristics of both birds and dinosaurs.

Feathers

Modified scales that facilitate flight and provide insulation, camouflage, and courtship displays.

Monophyletic lineage

A group of organisms that consists of all the descendants of a common ancestor.

Bipedal

Walking on two legs, a defining characteristic of birds.

Hollow bones

Lightweight bones in birds, adapted to reduce weight for flight.

Endothermy

Warm-bloodedness that allows birds to regulate their body temperature independently of the environment.

Four-chambered heart

A heart structure in birds that separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Oviparous

Referring to birds that lay eggs, distinguishing them by having hard calcareous shells.