Class Aves

Animal Kingdom • Biology

Concept Summary

The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are the presence of feathers, and most of them can fly except flightless birds such as the ostrich. They possess a beak. The forelimbs are modified into wings. The hind limbs generally have scales and are modified for walking, swimming or clasping tree branches. The skin is dry without glands except the oil gland at the base of the tail. The endoskeleton is fully ossified (bony) and the long bones are hollow with air cavities, which makes them pneumatic. The digestive tract has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard. The heart is completely four-chambered. Birds are warm-blooded (homoiothermous), that is, they can maintain a constant body temperature. Respiration is by lungs, and air sacs connected to the lungs supplement respiration. Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is internal. They are oviparous and development is direct. Examples include Corvus (crow), Columba (pigeon), Psittacula (parrot), Struthio (ostrich), Pavo (peacock), Aptenodytes (penguin) and Neophron (vulture). Exam questions frequently ask about the modifications that help birds fly, namely feathers, wings, pneumatic bones, air sacs and a four-chambered heart, and about the oil gland as the only skin gland.

Key Notes
  • Presence of feathers; most can fly (except flightless birds such as ostrich).
  • Beak present; forelimbs modified into wings.
  • Hind limbs with scales, modified for walking, swimming or clasping.
  • Skin dry; only skin gland is the oil gland at the base of the tail.
  • Endoskeleton fully ossified; long bones hollow with air cavities (pneumatic).
  • Digestive tract has additional chambers: crop and gizzard.
  • Heart completely four-chambered; homoiothermous.
  • Respiration by lungs; air sacs supplement respiration.
  • Sexes separate; internal fertilisation; oviparous; direct development.
Important Equations

Heart and temperature

\[ \text{Four-chambered heart} + \text{Homoiothermous} \]

Flight adaptations

\[ \text{Feathers} + \text{Wings} + \text{Pneumatic bones} + \text{Air sacs} \]
Flow Chart
Feathered, beaked, warm-blooded vertebrate
Mind Map
  • Class Aves
    • General
      • Feathers
      • Beak
      • Homoiothermous
    • Adaptations for flight
      • Wings from forelimbs
      • Hollow pneumatic bones
      • Air sacs
    • Organs
      • Crop and gizzard
      • Four-chambered heart
      • Oil gland
    • Examples
      • Corvus (crow)
      • Columba (pigeon)
      • Struthio (ostrich)
      • Aptenodytes (penguin)
      • Neophron (vulture)
Graphic Organiser
Feature Aves Mammalia
Body coveringFeathersHair
Skin glandsOnly oil gland at the base of the tailMammary glands (milk-producing)
HeartFour-chamberedFour-chambered
Body temperatureHomoiothermousHomoiothermous
ReproductionOviparous, direct developmentViviparous (with few exceptions), direct development
External earNot statedPinnae present