Browne, Jaxon (2012) All about birds. Research World, Delhi, India. ISBN 9788132331186
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Abstract
Birds (class Aves) are winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), egg-laying, vertebrate animals. There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most varied of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from the 5 cm (2 in) Bee Hummingbird to the 2.75 m (9 ft) Ostrich. The fossil record indicates that birds evolved within theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150-200 Ma (million years ago), and the earliest known bird is the Late Jurassic Archeopteryx, c 150-145 Ma. Most paleontologists regard birds as the only clade of dinosaurs to have survived the Cretaceous - Tertiary extinction event approximately 65.5 Ma Modern birds are characterized by feathers, a beak with no teeth, the laying of hard shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four- chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton. All Irving species of birds have wings - the now extinct flightless Moa of New Zealand were the only exceptions. Wings are evolved forelimbs, and most bird species can fly, with some exceptions including ratites, penguins, and a number of diverse endemic island species. Birds also have unique digestive and respiratory systems that are highly adapted for flight. Some birds, especially corvids and parrots, are among the most intelligent animal species, a number of bird species have been observed manufacturing and using tools, and many social species exhibit cultural transmission of knowledge across generations Many species undertake long distance annual migrations, and many more perform shorter irregular movements. Birds are social, they communicate using visual signals and through calls and songs, and participate in social behaviors including cooperative behavior and hunting, flocking, and mobbing of predators. The vast majority of bird species are socially monogamous, usually for one breeding season at a time, sometimes for years, but rarely for life. Other species have breeding systems that are polygynous ("many females") or rarely, polyandrous ("many males"). Eggs are usually laid in a nest and incubated by the parents. Most birds have an extended period of parental care after hatching.
| Item Type: | Book |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > SF Animal culture |
| Divisions: | Electronic Books |
| Depositing User: | Esam @ Hisham Muhammad |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jan 2023 02:14 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Jan 2023 02:14 |
| URI: | http://odlsystem2.utm.my/id/eprint/3911 |
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