ASCI 76 - What is Aviculture

What are the five characteristics that make a bird?

• Feathers & scales

• All are oviparous

• Females are Heterogametic (ZZ & ZW)

  • females are represented by ZZ

• Nucleated blood cell

• Endothermic

Taxonomy order

Domain, Kingdom, Phyllum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Domain

Eukarya

Kingdom

Animalia

Phyllum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

• 27-40 in total

• Ends in “-formes”

Family

• 167-247 families

• Ends in “-idae”

Genus

• 2000 - 2312 genera

Species

• 9000 - 10,500 species

Bird origins

• Modern Theropod dinosaurs

• From Mesozoic Era

Origin of flight

Three theories

• From ground up (momentum of jump)

• Wing assisted climbing

• From trees down (gliding)

Avi meaning

Avi = birds

Culture meaning

To breed, cultivate, or propagate

Aviculture definition by book

The raising, keeping, and caring of birds

Aviculture definition by society

The breeding or propagation of non-domestic birds to preserve them for profit, hobby, or

Galapagos Mangrove Finch

• Would be extinct if not for the efforts of Aviculturists

• Bc of invasive bot fly that was killing 100% of chicks